Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is traveling to the United States to discuss the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement with Palestinian group Hamas, his office confirmed. The negotiations, set to begin in Washington, DC, on Monday, aim to establish terms for the truce’s next stage. Netanyahu will meet with US President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday, marking Trump’s first meeting with a foreign leader since his inauguration.
Netanyahu’s visit comes two weeks after the first phase of the ceasefire took effect, leading to the release of 33 Israeli captives in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. The second phase is expected to address the release of remaining captives and explore a more permanent resolution to the ongoing conflict.
In remarks before departing for the US, Netanyahu emphasized the importance of discussions on the ceasefire, stating he and Trump would focus on “victory over Hamas, achieving the release of all our hostages, and dealing with the Iranian terror axis” in the Middle East. Netanyahu also noted the significance of being the first foreign leader to meet Trump post-inauguration, calling it a reflection of the strong Israeli-American alliance.
This trip marks Netanyahu’s first visit to the US since the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for him in November, accusing him of alleged war crimes in Gaza. Despite this, the US has not joined the ICC and has instead criticized the warrants issued for Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant. Senior US politicians have even threatened sanctions against the court’s prosecutors.
The future of the ceasefire deal, particularly its second phase, remains uncertain, with Netanyahu facing pressure from his far-right coalition members to abandon the agreement and resume military action in Gaza. US President Trump has also been sending mixed signals regarding the prospect of a permanent ceasefire, expressing initial doubts about the truce’s durability.
The second phase of the ceasefire is subject to considerable pressure from various sides. Hard-right figures in Israel, such as Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, oppose the ceasefire and advocate for military control over Gaza. Meanwhile, Palestinian resistance to Israeli occupation remains strong, and Trump’s proposal to relocate displaced Palestinians to Egypt and Jordan has been rejected by those countries.
In addition to the ceasefire talks, Netanyahu’s visit may also address the issue of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. Smotrich, a vocal advocate for settlement expansion, has urged Netanyahu to prioritize the issue during his discussions in Washington, calling for strengthened Israeli control over the region.