Washington: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed that his recent talks with U.S. President Donald Trump centered on ongoing efforts to secure the release of hostages held in Gaza and Israel’s unwavering resolve to dismantle the military and administrative capabilities of Hamas.
Speaking after their meeting on Wednesday, Netanyahu emphasized that his top priority remains the safe return of Israeli captives, and he underscored his government’s commitment to ensuring that Hamas is stripped of its ability to function as both a militant force and governing body.
The talks took place during Netanyahu’s third visit to the U.S. since Trump returned to the presidency on January 20. It was also their second meeting in two days, underlining the urgency of the situation in the Middle East. According to Netanyahu, the leaders also examined what he described as “the great victory we achieved over Iran,” hinting at recent developments in the shadow war between Israel and Tehran, although no specifics were provided.
The visit comes amid a renewed diplomatic push toward a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, with reports suggesting that negotiations are approaching a breakthrough after nearly two years of devastating conflict. Trump’s Middle East envoy has hinted at “measurable progress” in recent weeks.
In parallel developments, Qatari officials, who have been facilitating indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas, held high-level discussions with senior White House figures on Tuesday—just hours before Netanyahu arrived in Washington. The Qatari delegation's visit, first reported by Axios, points to a possible convergence of diplomatic efforts between key regional and international stakeholders.
While the White House has yet to officially comment on the Qatari meeting, sources familiar with the process say the involvement of Qatar remains central to bridging gaps between the two sides, particularly on humanitarian provisions and phased hostage releases.
With regional tension still simmering and civilian casualties mounting, Netanyahu’s U.S. trip reflects both the domestic pressure he faces over the hostage crisis and the geopolitical complexities surrounding Israel’s war aims in Gaza. His latest statements signal that any truce would need to be accompanied by firm security assurances and likely, the political downfall of Hamas in the enclave.
As diplomatic channels remain active and backroom talks continue, all eyes are now on whether these discussions will finally bring a ceasefire into view or simply reset the stage for the next phase of conflict.