Netanyahu to visit White House amid pressure for Gaza ceasefire
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As massacres persist in Gaza and regional tensions escalate, Netanyahu is scheduled to meet with Trump in Washington.
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Israeli settlers take part in a protest demanding the end of the war, and against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government in Tel Aviv on June 28, 2025. (AP)
As Gaza endures relentless and devastating massacres, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to visit Washington early next week for talks with US President Donald Trump, The Times of Israel reported, citing a White House official.
The visit comes amid claims that Washington is intensifying its efforts to end the war on Gaza and secure the release of Israeli captives. However, it is important to note that the US remains complicit in "Israel’s" ongoing aggression for over 600 days, providing military funding, arms, and consistently vetoing ceasefire resolutions at the United Nations.
The July 7 visit will mark Netanyahu’s third meeting with Trump since the latter returned to office in January 2025. It follows a 12-day joint US-Israeli aggression on the Islamic Republic of Iran, during which Iran emerged victorious, forcing "Israel" and the United States to scramble for a ceasefire, namely after its strike on the US base in Qatar on June 23.
The escalation, widely condemned across the region, further exposed Washington’s alignment with "Israel" in targeting Iran’s sovereignty and strategic infrastructure, under the pretext of curbing its nuclear capabilities.
While the Prime Minister’s Office has not confirmed the visit, which was initially reported by Axios, discussions are reportedly underway in Tel Aviv.
Wider context
A second US official told The Times of Israel that the main points of discussion will include Gaza and Iran, with Trump intent on finalizing a deal to end the war and facilitate the release of captives. Syria is also on the agenda.
Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer is currently in Washington, engaging with US officials amid growing pressure to end the 20-month-long war on Gaza. That said, Netanyahu convened his top advisers and ministers on Monday evening for a second consecutive night of talks on a potential ceasefire.
An official from one of the ministries involved said the parties were still deadlocked on the war’s trajectory, with further discussions expected Thursday.
Trump has recently emphasized his desire for "Israel" to reach a ceasefire agreement and secure the release of the 50 remaining captives in Gaza, suggesting on Friday that a deal could be finalized within a week.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt claimed that the US administration is committed to ending the war on Gaza, alleging that “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... He wants to save lives.”
Meanwhile, Netanyahu’s office confirmed that the war on Gaza continues, stating, "We are continuing to progress and deepen the ground maneuver, to pressure Hamas until it agrees to a deal or until we defeat it."
It is worth noting that Senior Hamas official Basem Naim announced on May 27 that the movement has agreed to a new proposal put forward by US envoy Steve Witkoff, adding that the essence of the initiative is "to reach a cessation of war, ensure the withdrawal of hostile forces, and lay the groundwork for a permanent ceasefire."
However, Netanyahu refused at the time to show flexibility in negotiations to secure a captive exchange deal, leading to a stalemate. Israeli officials told multiple Israeli news outlets that the current talks aimed at securing a prisoner exchange deal have stalled, with no progress made, noting that Netanyahu has "refused to budge on any changes to Witkoff’s proposal," referring to Witkoff.
Focus on Iran and Syria
Trump also intends to discuss Iran and Syria during his upcoming meeting with Netanyahu. According to a US official, the president plans to highlight recent military operations carried out during the confrontation with Iran. While largely led by "Israel", the US joined the campaign on June 22, targeting three Iranian nuclear facilities, including the fortified Fordow site, with ground-penetrating munitions.
Trump later claimed the US strikes had "obliterated" Iran’s nuclear capabilities, though other US officials offered more cautious evaluations, pointing to uncertainties about the extent of the damage.
Syria is also expected to feature in the discussions, while the Trump administration is pushing for closer ties between Damascus and "Israel", although it acknowledges the process will take time. A US official said Washington hopes Syria will eventually normalize ties with "Israel".
In a related development, Trump signed an executive order on Monday, lifting US sanctions on Syria. Press secretary Leavitt claimed that the decision aims to "promote and support the country’s path to stability and peace."
The executive order also ends the national emergency declared by former President George W. Bush. Five additional executive orders related to Syria were also revoked. However, sanctions remain in place against former President Bashar al-Assad and his inner circle.
Syria continues to be designated a state sponsor of terrorism, and the faction led by al-Sharaa remains listed as a foreign terrorist organization. A State Department official said these classifications are currently under review.
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