Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to meet with US President Donald Trump in Washington on February 4, 2025, following an invitation from the White House, Netanyahu’s office confirmed. The focus of the meeting will be on the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal, which began on January 19.
The initial phase of the ceasefire, a six-week halt in hostilities, will culminate in discussions on subsequent steps, including the release of remaining Israeli hostages held by Hamas and further Israeli troop withdrawals from Gaza. The ceasefire deal has been a subject of political pressure within Netanyahu’s far-right coalition government, with some members calling for a resumption of military actions.
As part of the diplomatic effort, the White House is reportedly offering an incentive package to Netanyahu to ensure progress on the ceasefire. This package may include sanctions targeting the International Criminal Court (ICC), which issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu in November 2024 over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity related to the Gaza conflict.
Additionally, reports indicate that Hamas is expected to release six hostages this week as part of the agreement, while Israel plans to allow Palestinians in Gaza to return to their homes in the northern region. These developments come after intense negotiations led by Netanyahu, who has played a key role in advancing the ceasefire talks.
The discussions between Netanyahu and Trump are expected to address these issues in detail, with an emphasis on maintaining the ceasefire and moving forward with the release of hostages and further withdrawals.
Sources: Kan TV, Xinhua News Agency, menafn.com
Netanyahu and Trump Image by IsraelMFA on Flickr
