Trump and Netanyahu Engage in Crucial Ceasefire Negotiations Amid Ongoing Gaza Conflict

In a significant diplomatic effort, U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met again to discuss a potential ceasefire in Gaza. The talks followed previous discussions that aimed to bridge gaps between Israel and Hamas, raising hopes for an impending resolution.

U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened once again on Tuesday to deliberate on the intensifying war in Gaza, marking their second meeting in consecutive days. This ongoing dialogue is part of efforts to establish a crucial 60-day ceasefire, an initiative that follows insights from Trump's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, who indicated that only one critical issue remains unresolved.

Netanyahu arrived at the White House shortly after 5 PM EST (21:00 GMT) for this closed-door session, highlighting the urgency of the situation. Earlier in the day, he had a conversation with Vice President JD Vance and spent several hours discussing the matter during a dinner with Trump on Monday. This visit represents Netanyahu's third state trip to the U.S. since the commencement of Trump’s second term.

The duration of this critical meeting lasted about two hours, during which Netanyahu also conferred with Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson. Post meeting, the Israeli Prime Minister emphasized his belief that Israel's military efforts in Gaza are far from complete, insisting, “We still have to finish the job in Gaza, release all our hostages, eliminate and destroy Hamas' military and government capabilities.”

Witkoff echoed optimism about the negotiations, stating that Israel and Hamas were nearing a consensus on previously contentious issues. According to him, the dwindling disputes would soon facilitate a temporary ceasefire, which may also encompass provisions for the release of ten living hostages and the remains of nine deceased individuals.

Before Netanyahu's White House visit, a delegation from Qatar engaged with U.S. officials for several hours, emphasizing Qatar’s pivotal role in mediating the discussions. Trump remarked on Monday that the ceasefire talks were progressing positively; however, Qatari officials later expressed the necessity for additional negotiation time, indicating no immediate timeline for an agreement.

Prior to Tuesday's continued discussions, a Palestinian source revealed to the BBC that little progress had been made thus far. The latest violence stems from an escalation that began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked Israel, leading to significant casualties and hostage situations. In retaliation, Israel's military offensive has reportedly resulted in the deaths of approximately 57,500 people in Gaza, according to figures from the Hamas-run health ministry.