Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu landed last night (Sunday) at Andrews Air Force Base in the United States, ahead of an extended diplomatic visit. According to reports, discussions will focus on negotiations for a continuation of the hostage deal with the Hamas terrorist organization, strategies for countering the nuclear threat emanating from Tehran, and the possibilities for normalization with Saudi Arabia.
Netanyahu was received at the airport by the new U.S. Ambassador, Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon, and Israel’s Consul in New York, Ofir Akunis. During his visit, he is expected to stay at Blair House, the official guest residence of the White House.
At the center of Netanyahu’s visit is the ongoing negotiation with Hamas and the details of the hostage deal. On Tuesday night (Israel time), Netanyahu is set to meet with President Donald Trump at the White House. This will be the president’s first meeting with a foreign leader since the start of his second term. The two leaders will discuss negotiation mechanisms and strategies for continuing the deal. They are also expected to discuss maintaining the ceasefire in exchange for the release of additional hostages.
Before his meeting with the U.S. president, Netanyahu is scheduled to meet today with Steve Witkoff, Trump’s envoy to the Middle East. Witkoff has become a key figure in talks with Hamas and maintains close ties with hostage families. Later this week, he is also expected to meet with Qatari leaders and senior Egyptian officials to advance the negotiations.
During the negotiations, two primary issues are expected to be discussed: the formulation of a framework for the second phase of the hostage deal and the extension of the first phase, which would allow for additional hostage releases in exchange for a continued ceasefire and the release of Palestinian prisoners.
Netanyahu is also expected to meet with additional American leaders, including Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and senior members of Congress and the Senate. Additionally, he will meet with evangelical representatives and with Mike Huckabee, the designated U.S. Ambassador to Israel.
