Netanyahu Meets Trump Amid Ceasefire Talks with Hamas and U.S.-Iran Developments

WASHINGTON/TEL AVIV – July 8, 2025 — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday as ceasefire discussions between Israel and Hamas gained momentum and new diplomatic overtures toward Iran surfaced.

The high-stakes dinner marked Netanyahu’s third visit to Washington since Trump’s return to office. Speaking at the start of the meeting, Netanyahu highlighted ongoing efforts between the U.S., Israel, and other countries to provide a “better future” for Palestinians, including the controversial possibility of voluntary relocation from Gaza.

“If people want to stay, they can stay, but if they want to leave, they should be able to leave,” Netanyahu said, hinting at talks with unnamed countries willing to receive Gazan residents.

Trump echoed the sentiment, noting, “We’ve had great cooperation from all the surrounding countries. Something good will happen.” Trump has floated similar relocation ideas earlier this year, though Palestinians have overwhelmingly rejected them, insisting they will not abandon their homeland.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu looks on during a bilateral dinner with U.S. President Donald Trump (not pictured), at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 7, 2025

The visit coincided with indirect Israel-Hamas talks in Qatar aimed at reaching a U.S.-brokered ceasefire and hostage deal. Trump, optimistic about a breakthrough, predicted a resolution could be achieved within the week.

Trump also revealed upcoming U.S.-Iran talks, stating, “We have scheduled Iran talks. They want to talk. They took a big drubbing.” This follows a recent 12-day Israel-Iran conflict, during which Trump supported Israeli airstrikes by bombing Iranian nuclear sites.

U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff is set to travel to Doha this week to join the ongoing negotiations. Witkoff played a central role in drafting the proposed 60-day ceasefire that envisions a phased hostage release and Israeli troop withdrawal from Gaza.

Despite cautious optimism, sticking points remain. Palestinian sources report that Israel’s limits on humanitarian aid entering Gaza continue to hinder progress. Israel maintains that aid is reaching civilians, though it’s working to prevent supplies from reaching militants.

The Gaza war, which began in October 2023 with a Hamas attack that killed around 1,200 Israelis and resulted in 251 hostages, has devastated the region. Over 57,000 Palestinians have since died, according to Gaza’s health ministry, and nearly half a million are facing imminent famine.

During the White House dinner, Netanyahu presented Trump with a letter nominating him for the Nobel Peace Prize. Trump appeared visibly pleased by the gesture.

The Israeli leader also met earlier with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Witkoff. On Tuesday, he is expected to visit Capitol Hill to meet U.S. lawmakers.

Back in Gaza, hope for peace remains fragile. “I ask God almighty that the negotiating delegation or the mediators pressure with all their strength to solve this issue, because it has totally become unbearable,” said Abu Suleiman Qadoum, a displaced resident of Gaza City.

As pressure mounts both at home and abroad, Netanyahu must navigate resistance from hardline coalition members who oppose ending military operations. Yet, with public support in Israel waning, a well-negotiated ceasefire may be his best path forward.

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