By M10News World News | Sunday, 7 July 2025
US President Donald Trump is set to host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington for the third time this year, amid growing international pressure to finalise a ceasefire and hostage-release deal between Israel and Hamas.
The meeting comes as behind-the-scenes negotiations continue in Doha, with mediators from the United States, Qatar and Egypt seeking to secure a phased truce that would bring a temporary halt to the fighting in Gaza and allow for the return of Israeli hostages held by Hamas since the 7 October attacks.
President Trump told reporters over the weekend that he believed a breakthrough was within reach, stating: “A deal could be reached this week.”
According to a report by Sky News, the talks will centre on a US-backed framework that proposes a 60-day pause in fighting, the gradual release of hostages, a significant increase in humanitarian aid to Gaza, and a staged withdrawal of Israeli forces from parts of the territory. In exchange, Hamas would begin releasing the remaining hostages in phases.
However, several obstacles remain. Hamas continues to demand a full Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza before it agrees to release all hostages or disarm. The Netanyahu government, under pressure from far-right ministers in his coalition, insists that any deal must lead to the dismantling of Hamas’s military and governing capabilities.
The stakes for the meeting are high. Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has come under increasing international scrutiny amid widespread civilian casualties and growing humanitarian concerns.
According to Gaza health authorities, over 37,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war began, with hundreds of thousands more displaced.
For Trump, the talks offer an opportunity to reassert US leadership in the region and potentially secure a major diplomatic win ahead of November’s presidential election.
His administration has maintained close ties with Netanyahu’s government, and a successful mediation could boost his international credentials.
Prime Minister Netanyahu is also under mounting pressure at home. Families of the hostages have held weekly protests outside his residence in Jerusalem, demanding more decisive action to secure their loved ones’ return. At least 50 hostages remain in Gaza, with Israeli authorities believing that approximately 30 may have died in captivity.
During previous meetings between Trump and Netanyahu, officials discussed military cooperation and the broader regional impact of Iran’s activities. Their third meeting, scheduled for Monday evening, is expected to focus squarely on the Qatar talks and Washington’s hopes of brokering a workable truce.
Netanyahu’s decision to travel again to Washington signals a willingness to engage more directly with US proposals, despite internal divisions within his cabinet. Some Israeli ministers have publicly opposed the terms of the proposed deal, particularly those related to halting military operations or allowing Hamas leaders to remain in power.
Analysts believe that any potential agreement would require a delicate balance between Israel’s security demands and Hamas’s insistence on political guarantees and aid access.
The US is believed to be pressuring both sides to commit to at least a partial agreement before the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha later this month.
International support is also building. The United Nations and European Union have urged a lasting ceasefire, citing Gaza’s worsening humanitarian crisis, while Egypt and Jordan have expressed concerns about regional destabilisation if the conflict continues unchecked.
No formal statement has yet been issued by either government regarding the expected outcome of Monday’s meeting, but officials on both sides have confirmed the meeting will take place behind closed doors.
Editing by M10News Foreign Desk | Contact: info@m10news.com
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