Trump to Host Netanyahu Amid Gaza Ceasefire Push and Hostage Talks

U.S. President Donald Trump will host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on July 7, a U.S. official confirmed, as efforts intensify to secure a ceasefire in Gaza and recover remaining hostages held by Hamas. The visit follows renewed U.S. pressure on Israel to halt the 20-month war, with Trump recently posting on social media: “Make the deal in Gaza, get the hostages back.”

Ron Dermer, Netanyahu’s close adviser, is currently in Washington to meet White House officials ahead of the summit. Discussions between Trump and Netanyahu are expected to cover Gaza, Iran, Syria, and broader Middle East security concerns.

The meeting comes as Israeli airstrikes on northern Gaza intensified Monday, killing at least 60 people in one of the deadliest days in weeks. Trump administration spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt stated that ending the Gaza war and securing the release of hostages are among Trump’s highest foreign policy priorities. She described the situation as “heartbreaking,” emphasizing that the U.S. remains in constant communication with Israeli leadership.

The conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants launched a surprise attack on Israel, killing 1,200 people—mostly civilians—and abducting 251 hostages. In response, Israel launched a large-scale military campaign in Gaza that has since killed over 56,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza health ministry. Most of the victims have been civilians, and the violence has displaced nearly all of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents, creating a worsening humanitarian crisis.

As the war continues, the upcoming Trump-Netanyahu meeting could mark a pivotal moment in efforts to broker peace and bring relief to a region gripped by prolonged conflict.