In a significant development, President Donald Trump is set to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday, marking their second official meeting at the White House since Trump's re-election.
This meeting comes at a critical time as Israel intensifies its military operations against the Hamas militant group in Gaza, deploying troops in a newly established security corridor. The Israeli Defense Minister has stated that Israel will annex large portions of the territory to its security zones.
As reported by Newsmax, this move comes in the wake of a shattered ceasefire last month when Israel launched an unexpected attack on Gaza. This was an attempt to force Hamas into accepting new ceasefire terms, a strategy that received backing from the White House. The aftermath of this attack has been devastating, with hundreds of Palestinians losing their lives. Israel has vowed to escalate the conflict until Hamas releases the remaining hostages taken during the October 7, 2023 attack, disarms, and withdraws from the territory. In addition, Israel has ceased all supplies of food, fuel, and humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Netanyahu's office released a statement on social media outlining the key topics for discussion with Trump. These include the tariff issue, efforts to secure the return of Israeli hostages, Israel-Turkey relations, the Iranian threat, and the battle against the International Criminal Court (ICC). Israel is currently facing a 17% tariff, and Netanyahu is wanted by the ICC for alleged crimes against humanity in Gaza. It's worth noting that the U.S. is not a member of the ICC.
Netanyahu's visit to the White House in February, the first by a foreign leader during Trump's second term, focused on Israels conflict with Hamas and the next steps following the ceasefire agreement. During a joint press conference, Trump proposed a controversial plan to permanently resettle displaced Palestinians outside Gaza and transform the area into the Riviera of the Middle East. This proposal was met with strong opposition from Palestinians, Arab nations, and human rights groups.
The February meeting provided Netanyahu with a platform to highlight the Trump administrations support for Israel, defend the conduct of the war, and divert attention from domestic political pressures. These pressures have since escalated, with Israelis protesting the lack of a deal to secure the return of remaining hostages from Gaza and Netanyahus controversial decisions to dismiss the head of the countrys domestic security agency and its attorney general. Netanyahu is also facing calls to accept responsibility for his role in failing to prevent the October 7 attack.
Relatives of hostages held in Gaza have made a desperate plea to Trump, urging him to use his influence to pressure Netanyahu to end the war and secure the release of their loved ones. Ifat Calderon, aunt of hostage Ofer Calderon, stated in Tel Aviv, Israel, We are addressing President Trump: Netanyahu is lying when he says that military pressure will bring back the abductees. The only way to quickly return all the abductees is to end the war and return them all in one fell swoop.
Hamas has stated that it will only release the remaining 59 hostages, 24 of whom are believed to be alive, in exchange for the release of more Palestinian prisoners, a lasting ceasefire, and an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. The October 7 attack on southern Israel resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths, mostly civilians. Some 251 hostages were taken, most of whom have since been released through ceasefire agreements and other deals. The Gaza Health Ministry reports that over 50,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza as part of Israels offensive, but it does not specify whether those killed are civilians or combatants. Israel claims to have killed around 20,000 militants, without providing evidence.
In a separate development, two of Netanyahu's close associates were arrested this week on suspicion of accepting money from Qatar to promote a positive image of the Gulf Arab state in Israel. Qatar, a key mediator for Hamas in its negotiations with Israel, denies supporting the militant group. Netanyahu has dismissed the case as baseless. The prime minister is also embroiled in a long-standing corruption trial and frequently criticizes what he perceives as a deep state conspiracy against him.
Trump has announced that the first foreign trip of his second administration will include stops in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and possibly the United Arab Emirates, with the trip potentially taking place as early as May. Trump has expressed his desire to reward Saudi Arabia for its investment in the U.S. and anticipates that all three Gulf countries will commit to creating jobs in the U.S. during his trip.
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