Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to begin talks today on mediating a second phase of a ceasefire with Hamas, his office said, as he visits the new Trump administration in Washington.
Before his departure, Netanyahu told reporters that he would discuss “victory over Hamas,” without specifying what this would mean in practical terms, as well as fighting Iran and securing the release of all hostages when he meets with U.S. President Trump on Tuesday.
This will be Trump’s first meeting with a foreign leader since his return to the White House in January, a priority Netanyahu called a “story.”
“I believe this is a testament to the strength of the Israeli-American alliance,” Netanyahu said before boarding his flight.
He was welcomed in the U.S. capital on Sunday evening by Israel’s Ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, who emphasized that the upcoming Trump-Netanyahu meeting would strengthen “the deep alliance between Israel and the United States and increase our cooperation.”
Netanyahu’s office said he would begin discussions with Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, on Monday regarding the conditions for the second phase of the ceasefire.
The initial 42-day phase of the agreement will end next month. The next phase is expected to cover the release of remaining prisoners and include discussions on a more permanent end to Israel’s war in Gaza.
