by EuroNews
It’s published
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday that a meeting with US President Donald Trump focused on the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza and the possibility of a ceasefire there.
In a statement posted to X by his office on Wednesday, Netanyahu reiterated that Israeli war in Gaza will continue until Hamas’ military and governing capabilities are eliminated.
Israeli leaders said that this alone would ensure Gaza “does not constitute a threat to Israel.”
The meeting between Netanyahu and Trump on Tuesday was the second meeting between the pair in 24 hours.
Trump supports the Israeli campaign, but recently called for a halt to what he described as “hell” in Gaza.
White House officials are seeking an agreement that includes a 60-day hiatus in combat, delivery of aid to Gaza, and at least some of the remaining 50 hostages held on the territory, many of which are believed to have already died.
Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff said Tuesday he is hoping for a deal.
Hamas said he was willing to free all hostages in exchange for the end of the war and the full withdrawal of Israel from Gaza.
However, Netanyahu repeated that the war would end when Hamas surrendered, disarmed and exiled.
Almost two years after Hamas killed about 1,200 people and took 251 hostages during the attack on October 7th, Israeli forces have transformed most of Gaza into tile rubs.
The war has killed more than 57,000 Palestinians so far, according to Gaza’s Ministry of Health.
For the days before Netanyahu’s visit, Trump appeared to be underestimating the possibility of a ceasefire agreement.
Asked about the outlook for an armistice on Friday, Trump told reporters:
The meeting between Trump and Netanyahu may provide new urgency to the US ceasefire proposal being debated between Israel and Hamas through indirect talks in Qatar.
At a meeting Tuesday, Netanyahu also said he spoke with Trump about Iran and discussed the “meaning and possibilities” that the pair called a “big victory” over Tehran.
Israel launched a surprising attack on military facilities in Iran on June 13, leading to 12 days of combat.
The United States later joined the conflict to derail the country’s nuclear program by dropping bunkerbuster bombs on three Iranian nuclear sites.
