Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to visit the White House on July 7 for talks with U.S. President Donald Trump, as Washington intensifies efforts to broker a ceasefire in Gaza. The upcoming meeting will mark Netanyahu’s third visit since Trump returned to office in January.
A senior Trump administration official confirmed the visit on condition of anonymity, while White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said both sides were finalizing the schedule. “This has been a priority for the president since he took office — to end this brutal war in Gaza,” Leavitt stated.
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Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer will travel to Washington ahead of the meeting to lay the groundwork for Netanyahu’s visit. The diplomatic push follows the conclusion of Israel’s brief war with Iran, which officials say could create a diplomatic opening for a Gaza truce.
President Trump expressed optimism on Friday, saying, “We think even next week, we’re going to get a ceasefire.” He reiterated his stance in a Truth Social post, urging Israel to “make the deal in Gaza.” Despite these statements, Israeli forces continued their offensive on Monday, with at least 51 Palestinians reported killed, including 24 at a seaside rest area.
In a controversial move, Trump also appeared to link U.S. financial aid to Israel with Netanyahu’s ongoing corruption trial, calling for Israeli prosecutors to drop charges. “We are not going to stand for this,” Trump wrote, noting the billions the U.S. spends annually to support Israel.
The war in Gaza, triggered by Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, has claimed over 56,000 Palestinian lives, mostly civilians, according to Gaza’s health ministry. The conflict has also left 49 hostages still in Hamas captivity, with 27 believed dead.
