Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is en route to Washington, D.C., to meet with President Donald Trump, marking the first foreign leader visit of Trump’s second term. The leaders plan to discuss strategies to defeat Hamas, secure the release of hostages, and address concerns regarding Iran and its proxies.
Netanyahu emphasized the significance of this meeting, stating, “The fact that this would be President Trump’s first meeting with a foreign leader since his inauguration is telling.” He views this as a testament to the strong Israeli-American alliance and their personal friendship.
Reflecting on past collaborations, Netanyahu highlighted achievements such as the Abraham Accords, which established peace treaties between Israel and several Arab nations during Trump’s previous term. He expressed optimism about further strengthening security and expanding peace initiatives in the Middle East through continued cooperation.
This visit coincides with ongoing efforts to negotiate the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. To date, 13 of the 33 hostages slated for release under the first phase of the deal have been freed, including U.S. citizen Keith Siegel. Seven more Americans remain captive.
In his invitation letter, President Trump expressed his anticipation for the meeting, stating he looks forward to discussing ways to bring peace to Israel and its neighbors, as well as efforts to counter shared adversaries.
This meeting underscores the renewed collaboration between the U.S. and Israel, focusing on regional stability and security.