Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Wednesday that his latest meeting with US President Donald Trump primarily focused on securing the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, while reaffirming his aim to dismantle the group’s military and governmental capabilities.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Netanyahu added that the two leaders also discussed the aftermath of what he called “a great victory over Iran,” referencing last month’s joint aerial strikes by the US and Israel targeting Iranian nuclear facilities.
This marks Netanyahu’s third visit to the US since Trump assumed office on January 20. Speaking to reporters, he acknowledged that while Israel’s military campaign in Gaza is ongoing, negotiations for a potential ceasefire are “certainly underway.”
President Trump and Netanyahu met for the second time in two days on Tuesday to discuss the Gaza conflict. Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, signaled progress in the indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas, facilitated by Qatar. Witkoff stated that only one key issue remains unresolved, and expressed optimism that a temporary ceasefire agreement could be reached by the end of the week.
According to Witkoff, the proposed deal includes a 60-day ceasefire, the release of 10 living hostages, and the repatriation of the bodies of nine deceased individuals.
While in Washington, Netanyahu also met with Vice President JD Vance and Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson. He reiterated that Israel’s military operation is far from over, citing the need to ensure all hostages are freed and Hamas is fully dismantled.
“We still have to finish the job in Gaza—release all our hostages and eliminate Hamas’ military and governing capabilities,” Netanyahu told reporters.
The war in Gaza began in October 2023 after a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel killed around 1,200 people and resulted in the kidnapping of 251 hostages, according to Israeli figures. Israel’s retaliatory offensive has since killed over 57,000 Palestinians and caused widespread destruction, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
Roughly 50 hostages remain in Gaza, with only 20 believed to be alive. Hamas continues to demand a permanent end to the war before any further hostage releases, while Israel insists on total dismantling of Hamas before halting its military operations.
The United Nations has reported mass displacement in Gaza, with nearly half a million people at risk of famine in the coming months.
Netanyahu also expressed a desire to broaden the Abraham Accords — US-brokered normalization agreements between Israel and Arab states, including the UAE, Bahrain, and Morocco. “We are working on this with full vigour,” he wrote on X.
In Washington, Netanyahu praised Trump’s unwavering support, including his public criticism of the Israeli judiciary amid Netanyahu’s ongoing trial on charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust — charges the Israeli leader denies.
Netanyahu concluded by highlighting what he called an unprecedented level of coordination between Israel and the United States under Trump’s leadership.
