Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to Visit Washington, DC.
Wednesday, 2 July 2025 | Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to arrive in Washington, DC, on July 7, 2025, for a high-stakes meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House. This visit, Netanyahu’s third since Trump’s return to office in January, comes at a key juncture, with the United States intensifying its push for a ceasefire in the ongoing Gaza conflict and the release of hostages still held by Hamas. The agenda is packed with pressing issues, from Gaza’s future to regional diplomacy and Israel’s recent military engagements, particularly with Iran.
The Gaza war, now stretching into its 21st month, will dominate discussions. Sparked by Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack that killed 1,200 people and saw 251 hostages taken, with Israel’s military response resulting in thousands of Palestinian deaths, mostly militants. Trump has made ending the war a priority, recently expressing optimism about securing a ceasefire within days. His administration is pressing both Israel and Hamas to agree to a deal that would free the roughly 50 remaining hostages—only 20 believed to be alive—in exchange for a prolonged ceasefire. Netanyahu, facing domestic pressure from hostage families and protests in Jerusalem, has shown signs of flexibility, with Israeli cabinet members suggesting he may be ready to prioritize a deal over continued military operations.
Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, a close Netanyahu confidant, is already in Washington, laying the groundwork for the talks. Dermer’s meetings with senior US officials, including Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Vice President JD Vance, are focused on hammering out details of a potential agreement. One proposal, floated by Witkoff, involves Hamas releasing 10 living Israeli hostages and the bodies of 18 deceased captives during a 60-day ceasefire. Israel, in turn, is reportedly showing more openness to negotiating terms for ending the war, a shift from earlier insistence by the Israeli government that Hamas be entirely defeated before halting operations.
Beyond Gaza, the recent 12-day conflict with Iran, dubbed “Operation Rising Lion,” will be a key talking point. Israel’s strikes, supported by the US, targeted Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs, a move that Trump has praised as a “great victory.” Netanyahu also aims to discuss ways to prevent Iran from rebuilding its nuclear capabilities and exploring new diplomatic opportunities in the region, including an expansion of the Abraham Accords. It is hoped that Syria’s new government and other Arab nations may be willing to enter into discussions to normalize relations with Israel.
Security discussions will also involve top US officials like Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, focusing on military cooperation and the ongoing supply of US weaponry, such as Joint Direct Attack Munitions, critical to Israel’s operations in Gaza and against Iran.
Trade is another item on the table, complicated by the US’s recent imposition of a 17% tariff on Israeli goods. Netanyahu is expected to meet with the US Secretary of Commerce to negotiate terms that could ease these economic tensions.
As Netanyahu prepares to depart on Saturday, the issues are substantial. With US pressure mounting, Gaza’s humanitarian crisis worsening, and regional dynamics shifting, the July 7 meeting could shape the trajectory of the conflict and Israel’s role in a rapidly changing Middle East. Whether a ceasefire deal emerges remains uncertain, but the talks mark a critical push for a much-needed resolution.
(Bridges for Peace, July 2, 2025)
License: Wikimedia
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