Post by : Jyoti Gupta

Photo:Reuters

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to travel to Washington on July 7 to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump. The meeting, their third since Trump took office in January, is aimed at working toward a ceasefire in Gaza and discussing other regional issues.

U.S. officials say President Trump hopes the truce can be achieved within a week. Ahead of the visit, Israel’s Strategic Affairs Minister is in Washington to lay the groundwork for the discussions.

This diplomatic move follows a short war between Israel and Iran that ended recently, creating momentum for a broader peace effort. Trump has publicly urged Israel to agree to halt hostilities in Gaza and has hinted that U.S. military aid might be influenced by Israel’s decisions.

Despite diplomatic pressure, intense fighting continues in Gaza. On Monday, local authorities reported 51 deaths, including 24 people killed at a coastal rest area. Meanwhile, President Trump said on social media that U.S. financial support for Israel is substantial and criticized legal actions against Netanyahu.

The current Gaza war began after an attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, which killed around 1,200 Israelis and saw 251 people taken hostage. Israel’s response has been devastating: over 56,000 Palestinians, mostly civilians, have been killed, according to Gaza’s health authorities.

The upcoming meeting will also address other issues such as hostage release negotiations and regional security, including Iran and Syria. The U.S. and Israel are both emphasizing the urgent need to end the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and secure the return of remaining hostages.