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Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer is expected to face U.S. pressure over a Gaza cease-fire and hostage deal during his upcoming visit to Washington, according to Israeli media reports.
The visit will also reportedly address normalization steps with Arab states and the expansion of the Abraham Accords.
Haaretz, citing senior White House officials, reported that high-level members of U.S. President Donald Trump's administration intend to press Dermer to halt military operations in Gaza and pursue a deal for the return of remaining hostages.
U.S. officials are expected to urge that Israel's goal of eliminating Hamas be postponed for a future phase.
According to Yedioth Ahronoth, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent public statements have placed renewed emphasis on securing the release of Israeli hostages, potentially signaling an opening for a cease-fire agreement.
The paper noted a shift away from the "total victory" narrative and toward prioritizing the captives' return.
Channel 12 reported that the Israeli military has requested that the government define the next steps of the war. The options reportedly under consideration are to complete military control of Gaza or to pursue a prisoner exchange deal. The report claimed that the military prefers the latter option.
Channel 13 stated that the army has informed the government that, after 19 months of ground operations in Gaza, few remaining strategic objectives can be achieved without endangering the lives of the hostages.
Israeli media reported that Dermer’s visit is intended to prepare the ground for a potential trip by Netanyahu to Washington in the next two weeks. According to the reports, the U.S. administration hopes to reach a cease-fire agreement before that visit.
U.S. President Trump recently posted on social media: "Make a deal in Gaza, bring back the hostages." The message was interpreted by Israeli media as a direct signal to Prime Minister Netanyahu.
A cabinet meeting held in Israel on Sunday night to discuss the Gaza offensive, cease-fire talks, and prisoner exchange proposals ended without a decision, according to The Times of Israel. The report noted that the cabinet will reconvene on the same agenda the following day.
Earlier media reports had claimed that Netanyahu and Trump had reached an understanding to secure a Gaza cease-fire within two weeks.
The Israeli military resumed intensive operations in Gaza on March 18 following a cease-fire in effect since Jan. 19. Since the beginning of the conflict on Oct. 7, 2023, at least 56,412 people have been killed and 133,054 injured in Gaza, according to data provided by Gaza’s health ministry.
Since May 27, 516 people have reportedly been killed and 3,799 injured in systematic attacks near distribution zones set up by the U.S.-Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Relief Foundation.
On June 29, Prime Minister Netanyahu said that his country’s "victory" in the recent 12-day conflict with Iran created "opportunities," particularly in relation to the hostages held in Gaza.
"Many opportunities have opened up now following this victory. First of all, to rescue the hostages," Netanyahu said in an address to security officials.
"Of course, we will also have to solve the Gaza issue, to defeat Hamas, but I estimate that we will achieve both goals," he added.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum welcomed Netanyahu’s statement and called for a "single comprehensive deal to bring back all 50 hostages and end the fighting in Gaza." The group stated that "the only way to free them all is through a comprehensive deal and an end to the fighting, without rescue operations that endanger both the hostages and (Israeli) soldiers."
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