Ceasefire push: Netanyahu to visit Washington; Trump hopes for Gaza truce soon

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is predicted to visit Washington subsequent Monday for talks with US President Donald Trump, because the White House intensifies efforts to deliver an finish to the struggle in Gaza.A senior US administration official, talking on situation of anonymity, confirmed the upcoming visit however famous that it has not but been formally introduced. The assembly is geared toward advancing discussions on a ceasefire settlement and a potential hostage deal in Gaza.Netanyahu’s visit follows that of Israeli minister for strategic affairs Ron Dermer, who was in Washington earlier this week to maintain talks with high US officers on Gaza, Iran and associated points.The visit additionally comes every week after a ceasefire took maintain within the separate 12-day battle between Israel and Iran. Trump has since shifted his focus to the continuing preventing between Israel and Hamas, signalling a powerful need to dealer peace.“We think within the next week we’re going to get a ceasefire,” Trump informed reporters on Friday, though he didn’t present additional particulars in regards to the negotiations or timeline.White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated on Monday that Trump and his staff have been in “constant communication with Israeli leadership” and that ending the battle was a high precedence for the President.“It’s heartbreaking to see the images that have come out from both Israel and Gaza throughout this war, and the President wants to see it end. He wants to save lives,” she stated.Leavitt added that discussions have been ongoing to organize Netanyahu’s visit to Washington, though the date had not been formally confirmed. The timing of the visit was first reported by Axios.The struggle in Gaza started after Hamas launched a serious shock assault on Israel on October 7, 2023. According to Israeli officers, 1,219 individuals have been killed within the assault, most of them civilians, primarily based on an AFP depend.During the identical assault, Palestinian militants took 251 hostages. The Israeli army says 49 of them are nonetheless in Gaza, together with 27 who’re believed to be lifeless.In response, Israel launched a army marketing campaign in Gaza. According to the well being ministry within the Hamas-run territory, a minimum of 56,531 individuals have been killed to this point, with most of them additionally being civilians.