Trump to Host Netanyahu at White House Amid Push for Gaza Ceasefire and Hostage Deal
The Trump administration on Monday approved a $510 million arms sale to Israel to replenish its supply of precision-guided munitions. The package includes more than 7,000 guidance kits for Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMs).
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — U.S. President Donald Trump will host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House next Monday, as the American leader intensifies his efforts to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and secure the release of hostages held in Gaza, according to the Associated Press (AP).
The visit, confirmed by two U.S. officials speaking on condition of anonymity, marks Netanyahu’s third trip to Washington since Trump’s return to office in January. It follows the U.S. military’s involvement in Israel’s conflict with Iran, where American forces launched strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities before helping negotiate a ceasefire between the two adversaries. Trump has since shifted focus to the Gaza war, signaling that a resolution there is now a key priority.
“We think within the next week we’re going to get a ceasefire,” Trump told reporters on Friday, though he did not elaborate on the basis for his optimism. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt echoed this hope, stating on Monday that the administration remains in constant communication with Israeli leadership. “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,” she said. “He wants to save lives.”
Israeli Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer is also in Washington this week, engaging in talks with senior U.S. officials on Gaza, Iran, and broader security issues. A major hurdle in ceasefire negotiations remains the question of whether the war will end as part of any hostage deal. Around 50 hostages are still held in Gaza, though fewer than half are believed to be alive, AP reported.
The timing of Netanyahu’s visit was first disclosed by Axios. It comes as Trump faces criticism from Democratic lawmakers and others questioning the effectiveness of recent U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran’s nuclear program. A preliminary assessment by the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency indicated that the strikes caused substantial damage to key sites at Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan, but did not completely destroy the facilities.
Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), told CBS’ Face the Nation that Iran’s uranium enrichment infrastructure had been "destroyed to an important degree," though some capabilities remain intact. He stressed that Iran could potentially resume operations, depending on the extent of future IAEA access.
In a controversial move, Trump has also waded into Israeli domestic politics, publicly calling for the corruption charges against Netanyahu to be dropped. Labeling the proceedings a “WITCH HUNT,” Trump has declared that the U.S. would be the country that “saves” the embattled Israeli leader—remarks that have unsettled some within Israel’s political establishment.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration on Monday approved a $510 million arms sale to Israel to replenish its supply of precision-guided munitions. The package includes more than 7,000 guidance kits for Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMs), widely used in Israel’s military operations in Gaza and recent strikes against Iran.
In a statement, the U.S. State Department said the sale supports Israel’s ability to “maintain a strong and ready self-defense capability,” adding that the transaction aligns with American national security interests.
The upcoming White House meeting is expected to further cement U.S.-Israel ties while reinforcing Trump’s central role in the region’s shifting political and military dynamics.
