Trump and Netanyahu Discuss Gaza Ceasefire in High-Stakes Talks

In an urgent bid for resolution, U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened for crucial discussions aimed at establishing a ceasefire in Gaza after months of conflict.

US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met on Tuesday evening for their second meeting within 24 hours, focusing on efforts to negotiate a ceasefire deal amid the ongoing war in Gaza. This follow-up discussion emerged after Trump's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, indicated that Israel and Hamas were close to finalizing a key issue that could lead to a 60-day ceasefire.

Netanyahu arrived at the White House shortly after 17:00 EST (21:00 GMT) for a closed-door meeting with Trump, which followed his earlier engagements with Vice President JD Vance and a lengthy dinner discussion with the president the previous night. This marks Netanyahu's third official visit to the U.S. in Trump’s current term.

During their two-hour meeting, Netanyahu asserted that while efforts for a ceasefire were underway, Israel’s military objectives in Gaza remained unfinished. "We still have to finish the job in Gaza, release all our hostages, eliminate and destroy Hamas' military and government capabilities," he emphasized after the discussions.

Steve Witkoff later commented on the progress in negotiations, revealing that Israel and Hamas had narrowed their differences significantly from four contentious issues to one potential sticking point regarding the ceasefire conditions. The proposed agreement is expected to involve the release of 10 living hostages alongside the deceased bodies of nine individuals.

Previously, a Qatari delegation held talks at the White House, hinting at the country's mediating role in the negotiations. Trump expressed optimism on Monday, suggesting that ceasefire discussions were advancing positively. However, the Qatari foreign ministry stated that more time would be required to achieve a comprehensive understanding, cautioning against the rush for a timeline.

As negotiations resumed on Tuesday, a Palestinian source familiar with the talks highlighted that no substantial progress had yet been made. The recent escalation of violence began on October 7, 2023, with an attack by Hamas that resulted in approximately 1,200 Israeli deaths and 251 hostages taken, while retaliatory strikes have led to upwards of 57,500 fatalities in Gaza, according to figures from the territory's Hamas-led health ministry.