Background on Key Figures and Context
On Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House to urge him to bring an end to the devastating conflict in Gaza. This marks Netanyahu’s third visit since Trump returned to power, occurring at a critical juncture as the U.S. president aims to capitalize on momentum from the recent truce between Israel and Iran.
Trump’s Stance on Netanyahu and the Conflict
Trump has strongly supported Netanyahu, even nominating him for the Nobel Peace Prize. The Israeli leader presented Trump with a letter endorsing him for the prestigious award during their meeting.
“He’s making peace while we speak, in country after country,” Netanyahu stated.
Netanyahu’s Caution on Palestinian Statehood
Despite his support for Trump, Netanyahu remained cautious regarding peace with the Palestinians. He dismissed the idea of an independent Palestinian state, asserting that Israel would “always” maintain security control over Gaza. “So what if it’s not a full state? It doesn’t matter to us,” he remarked.
Protests Outside the White House
As Trump and Netanyahu met inside, dozens of protesters gathered near the White House, chanting slogans accusing Netanyahu of “genocide.”
Key Points from the Meeting
During their meeting, Trump expressed confidence that the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas was willing to end the conflict, which has now entered its twenty-second month.
“They want to meet and have that ceasefire,” Trump told reporters.
The Washington meeting took place as indirect talks between Israel and Hamas were ongoing in Qatar for the second day, aiming to achieve a truce to the war sparked by Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israeli territory.
Stalled Negotiations
However, according to a Palestinian official familiar with the negotiations, Monday’s discussions yielded “no progress.” Both Hamas and Israel were expected to resume talks later.
Palestinian sources indicated that the proposal under discussion included a 60-day truce during which Hamas would release ten live Israeli hostages and several bodies of kidnapped individuals in exchange for the freedom of Palestinian prisoners in Israel.
But Hamas also demanded certain conditions for Israel’s withdrawal, guarantees against the resumption of fighting during negotiations, and the return of the UN-managed aid distribution system.
Impact on Gaza and Israel
According to the Palestinian Civil Defense, at least 12 people died in Israeli attacks within the isolated Palestinian territory on Monday. Media restrictions and difficulties accessing many areas in Gaza hinder independent verification of these figures.
The Hamas attack that triggered the war resulted in 1,219 deaths in Israel, mostly civilians, according to an official Israeli tally. Meanwhile, at least 57,523 Palestinians have died in the Israeli offensive in Gaza, mostly civilians, as reported by the territory’s health ministry under Hamas control—a figure the UN deems reliable.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Benjamin Netanyahu? Benjamin Netanyahu is the Prime Minister of Israel, who has been in office multiple times since the early 1990s.
- Why is Trump meeting with Netanyahu? U.S. President Donald Trump is meeting with Netanyahu to press for an end to the conflict in Gaza, which has been ongoing for twenty-two months.
- What is the current status of negotiations between Israel and Hamas? Negotiations in Qatar have stalled, with both sides expected to resume talks later. The proposed truce includes the release of hostages and prisoners, but Hamas has additional conditions for Israel’s withdrawal.
- What is the human cost of the conflict? The war has resulted in significant loss of life on both sides. In Israel, 1,219 people have died, mostly civilians. In Gaza, at least 57,523 Palestinians have died, mostly civilians, according to official reports.
