**Netanyahu and Trump Aim for Cease-Fire Amid Ongoing Conflict in Gaza**

**The upcoming meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Trump raises hopes for a new cease-fire in Gaza, following months of war and tensions with Iran.**

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in Washington on Monday for discussions with President Donald Trump, marking their first encounter since a series of unprecedented military actions against Iran. As fighting continues in Gaza, Trump is advocating for a cease-fire that could halt the conflict after 21 months of violence.

The backdrop to this crucial meeting involves a recent U.S.-backed offensive in Iran aimed at crippling its nuclear and missile capabilities, which resulted in retaliatory missile strikes against Israeli cities. With hostilities in Iran subsiding, Trump is now contemplating a renewed nuclear agreement with Tehran while simultaneously pressing for a new deal to bring about peace in Gaza.

Both sides hope that negotiations between Netanyahu and Trump will yield a truce that can secure the release of hostages held by Hamas in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. Previous attempts at cease-fires have seen temporary agreements, including one that occurred last March, where more than 1,500 Palestinian prisoners were exchanged for 30 hostages and the remains of eight others.

As the international community watches closely, the stakes could not be higher for both leaders. The outcome of their discussions may shape the immediate future of the region, either paving the way for lasting peace or prolonging the cycle of violence that has defined the Israeli-Palestinian conflict for decades.