Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House, the first foreign leader to visit since Trump’s re-election. Talks focused on a potential Israel-Saudi normalization deal, the Gaza war, and the ongoing hostage negotiations.
Trump, Netanyahu Discuss Middle East Issues
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived at the White House for talks with U.S. President Donald Trump, marking the first official visit by a foreign leader since Trump returned to office.
The two leaders discussed a range of geopolitical issues, including a potential normalization deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia. Trump stated that Saudi Arabia had not made a Palestinian state a condition for normalization, emphasizing that all parties “want peace.”
Israel’s War Objectives in Gaza
Netanyahu outlined Israel’s three primary goals in the ongoing Gaza conflict: securing the release of all hostages, dismantling Hamas’ military and government infrastructure, and ensuring that Gaza no longer poses a security threat to Israel. He insisted that Israel would not agree to a ceasefire unless all three objectives were met.
Trump’s Global Security Outlook
Beyond the Middle East, Trump commented on the state of global conflicts, including the war in Ukraine, attributing instability to weak leadership. He reaffirmed his administration’s stance on securing U.S. interests while pursuing diplomatic solutions.
Further Meetings Expected
As negotiations over a potential Gaza ceasefire and a Saudi-Israel agreement continue, Netanyahu is expected to hold further discussions with U.S. officials during his visit.
Gaza Strip
Trump also announced that the U.S. would take control of Gaza, overseeing the removal of unexploded ordnance and weapons while leading reconstruction efforts and economic development in the area.
Hamas Open to Talks with Trump
In a separate development, Hamas signaled its readiness for dialogue with the Trump administration. Senior Hamas Politburo member Mousa Abu Marzouk told Russia’s RIA news agency that Hamas is open to negotiations, citing the U.S.’s dominant role in the Middle East. Marzouk stated that Hamas has “never objected” to contact with previous U.S. administrations and is prepared to engage in talks.
Read next
08:30
World News
Brazil's Supreme Court has ordered the arrest of former President Fernando Collor de Mello after rejecting his appeals against a corruption conviction, with a ruling from 2023 sentencing him to nearly nine years in prison for money laundering and bribery.
08:00
World News
The U.S. military said a missile explosion that killed at least a dozen people near a UNESCO site in Yemen's capital, Sanaa, was caused by a Houthi-fired weapon, not an American airstrike, countering local claims and intensifying scrutiny over the rising civilian toll in the conflict.
07:39
LNG Summit
The United States is set to host an energy summit in Alaska in early June, where President Donald Trump’s administration hopes Japan and South Korea will commit to the $44 billion Alaska LNG project, a major energy initiative aimed at expanding U.S. gas exports to Asia.
07:15
Ukraine-Russia War
A large-scale missile and drone strike hit Kyiv overnight, killing at least 12 people in what Ukrainian officials called the most significant attack on the capital this year, as diplomatic efforts to reach a resolution continue.
05:26
Harvard University’s endowment is in advanced talks to sell about $1 billion in private equity fund interests, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters on Thursday.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment