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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to meet U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on July 7, according to diplomatic sources speaking to the Israeli media outlets.
Netanyahu’s visit is part of his efforts to address the ongoing conflict in Gaza, with both sides pushing for a cease-fire. The Israeli press reported that Netanyahu will travel to Washington on Monday, where he is expected to discuss key issues, including the Gaza conflict, with U.S. President Trump. The visit will mark Netanyahu’s third trip to the White House since Trump returned to office earlier this year.
The focus of the talks is anticipated to be the ongoing war in Gaza, with the U.S. seeking to broker a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas. Trump has expressed a strong desire to see the war come to an end, particularly to bring home the remaining hostages held in Gaza.
Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer arrived in Washington on Monday for preliminary talks with senior U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Trump's Middle East Special Representative Steve Witkoff.
The discussions are focusing on Gaza ceasefire negotiations, Iran, and the expansion of the Abraham Accords.
According to an official in Netanyahu's office reported by The Times of Israel, Dermer's mission is to "try to press the Americans to press the Qataris to press Hamas" for more concessions in ongoing negotiations.
"Qatar is the key," the official said. "We are hoping that there will be a breakthrough very soon. It depends on Hamas."
Trump has expressed optimism about reaching a cease-fire agreement, telling reporters Friday that "we think within the next week we're going to get a ceasefire" in Gaza, though he did not elaborate on the basis for his confidence.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized that ending the Gaza conflict remains a priority for Trump.
"It's heartbreaking to see the images that have come out from both Israel and Gaza throughout this war, and the president wants to see it end," Leavitt said. "He wants to save lives."
Negotiations between Israel and Hamas have repeatedly stalled over fundamental disagreements, particularly Hamas' demand for a permanent end to the war versus Israel's preference for a temporary ceasefire that preserves the option to resume fighting.
Netanyahu convened top aides and ministers Monday evening for a second consecutive meeting on Gaza cease-fire negotiations. According to a minister involved in the discussions, the group remained unable to reach a consensus on the future of the war.
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