Trump Invites Netanyahu to White House Amid Gaza Ceasefire Talks

Trump Invites Netanyahu to White House Amid Gaza Ceasefire Talks

President Donald Trump has extended an invitation to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to visit the White House next week, marking the first foreign leader visit during Trump’s second term. The meeting, scheduled for February 4, comes as the United States intensifies efforts to maintain a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which has temporarily halted a devastating 15-month war in Gaza.

In a letter shared by Netanyahu’s office, Trump expressed his eagerness to discuss strategies for achieving peace in the region and countering shared adversaries. The visit provides Netanyahu, who faces domestic pressure, an opportunity to reaffirm Israel’s strong ties with the U.S. and defend its conduct during the conflict.

Israel, the largest recipient of U.S. military aid, is expected to seek assurances from Trump regarding continued weapons deliveries, following delays under the Biden administration. Netanyahu is also likely to push for increased pressure on Iran and renewed efforts to broker a historic normalization agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia, Iran’s regional rival.

The ceasefire, now in its second week, has allowed over 375,000 Palestinians to return to northern Gaza, according to the United Nations. Many are witnessing the devastation of their homes for the first time, with some opting to sleep outdoors or in makeshift shelters amid the ruins.

Trump recently suggested that Egypt and Jordan temporarily host Palestinians from Gaza, a proposal swiftly rejected by both nations and Palestinian leaders, who fear it could lead to permanent displacement.

Meanwhile, humanitarian aid continues to flow into Gaza, with approximately 4,200 trucks entering the region in the past week. Under the ceasefire agreement, 600 trucks of aid are expected daily to address the dire humanitarian crisis.

The ceasefire has also facilitated the release of hostages and prisoners. A total of 33 hostages taken during Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack, which ignited the war, are set to be released alongside nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. However, Israel has confirmed that eight of the 33 hostages are feared dead, deepening the grief of affected families.

Naama Levy, a 20-year-old hostage recently released, shared her harrowing experience of captivity, describing how she and fellow captives supported each other until their release.

Negotiations for the ceasefire’s second phase, aimed at achieving a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and a lasting peace, are set to begin next Monday. Netanyahu has vowed to resume hostilities if Hamas fails to meet his demands.

The war, the deadliest between Israel and Hamas, has claimed over 47,000 Palestinian lives, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, while Israel reports killing over 17,000 militants. The ceasefire remains fragile, with mediators like Qatar reporting no significant violations so far.

As Netanyahu prepares to meet with Trump, the world watches closely to see whether this high-stakes diplomacy can pave the way for a sustainable resolution to the conflict.

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