Netanyahu heads to DC for meeting with Trump

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu departed for Washington on Sunday morning, emphasising the importance of his upcoming meeting with US President Donald Trump.

Speaking to reporters on the tarmac at Ben-Gurion International Airport, Netanyahu described the visit as a “testimony to the strength of the Israeli-American alliance” and his “personal friendship” with Trump.

Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, is scheduled to meet with Trump at the White House on Tuesday. This will be Trump’s first meeting with a foreign leader since being inaugurated for a second, non-consecutive term on January 20.

Reflecting on past achievements, Netanyahu highlighted his partnership with Trump in securing the Abraham Accords, which normalised ties between Israel and four Arab nations. He outlined key topics for their upcoming discussion, including Israel’s war against Hamas, efforts to secure the release of all hostages and strategies to counter the Iranian influence across the Middle East.

“The decisions we made in the war have already changed the face of the Middle East. Our decisions and the courage of our soldiers have redrawn the map. But I believe that working closely with President Trump, we can redraw it even further and for the better,” Netanyahu stated.

“I believe that we can strengthen security, broaden the circle of peace and achieve a remarkable era of peace through strength,” he concluded.

Netanyahu departed aboard Wing of Zion, Israel’s official aircraft for presidential and prime ministerial travel, accompanied by Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, diplomatic adviser Ophir Falk, chief of staff Tzachi Braverman, military secretary Major General Roman Gofman and government hostage coordinator Gal Hirsch, amongst other senior aides.

Finance Minister and Religious Zionism Party head Bezalel Smotrich and National Unity Party leader Benny Gantz sent their well-wishes to Netanyahu upon his departure for the United States via posts on X.

Smotrich emphasised the high stakes of the meeting, including achieving victory in Gaza, eliminating Hamas, securing Israel’s borders, and addressing the Iranian nuclear threat.

He also stressed the importance of strengthening Israeli sovereignty in the West Bank, asserting that peace and alliances should be forged from a position of strength. Smotrich reaffirmed full support for Netanyahu from the people of Israel.

Gantz similarly wished Netanyahu success, highlighting the meeting’s significance in advancing the return of the captives, addressing the Iranian challenge, expanding normalisation efforts, and removing Hamas from power.

Hostage negotiations and diplomatic engagements

Though the White House had not formally announced the visit, an image of what appears to be Trump’s invitation to Netanyahu circulated on social media. Dated January 28 and signed by the president, the letter states: “I look forward to discussing how we can bring peace to Israel and its neighbors, and efforts to counter our shared adversaries.” Trump adds: “It will be my honor to host you as my first foreign leader during my second term.”

Netanyahu stated on Saturday that he had spoken in the evening with Steve Witkoff, the US special envoy to the Middle East, and that the two had agreed to begin negotiating the second stage of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal in Washington during his visit.

Netanyahu’s office said that discussions would take place on Monday, on the 16th day of the agreement, “within the framework of which they will discuss the Israeli positions.”

“Later in the week, Witkoff will speak with the prime minister of Qatar and senior Egyptian representatives,” the statement continued. “He will then discuss with the prime minister steps to advance the negotiations, including dates for the departure of delegations to the talks.”

Efforts to accelerate hostage releases

Officials involved in the ceasefire negotiations believe the release process can be accelerated, with the Hamas terrorist group not ruling out shortening the deal’s phases, including the transition to releasing men and soldiers, Israel’s Channel 12 News reported on Saturday.

The officials argue that maintaining the original phased framework does not benefit Jerusalem and that a formula can be devised to ensure the deal’s stability.

The Hebrew news outlet also reported that Netanyahu is considering replacing Mossad chief David Barnea with Dermer as head of Israel’s negotiation team, despite concerns that this could disrupt talks.

Recent hostage releases and truce details

Yarden Bibas, Ofer Calderon and Keith Siegel were freed on Saturday after 484 days in Hamas captivity in the Gaza Strip. In exchange, Israel freed 183 terrorists (182 Palestinians and one Egyptian) – 18 serving life sentences, 54 serving lengthy terms and 111 of whom were arrested since Hamas’s October 7, 2023, massacre.

Calderon also holds French citizenship, while Siegel is an American-Israeli dual national.

(L-R) Ofer Kalderon, Keith Siegel and Yarden Bibas were released from Gaza on Saturday (Image: Hostages and Missing Families Forum)[Missing Credit]

Siegel’s liberation was welcomed by the White House, which continues to push for the release of the American hostages held in Gaza. Two US nationals, Sagui Dekel-Chen, 35, and Edan Alexander, 19, are believed to be alive, while four others are presumed to have been killed in captivity.

On Thursday, three Israelis – IDF soldier Agam Berger, 20, along with civilians Arbel Yehud, 29, and Gadi Mozes, 80 – and five Thai nationals were released from terrorist captivity in Gaza as part of Hamas’s truce with Jerusalem.

Left to right: Arbel Yehoud, 29, Agam Berger, 19, and Gadi Moshe Mozes, 80, were released on Thursday, 2025 (Courtesy)[Missing Credit]

Under the six-week phase-one truce agreement, Hamas has committed to releasing 33 hostages in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian terrorists. Following Saturday’s release, 18 hostages have been freed so far.

According to Israeli estimates, there are 79 hostages still in Hamas captivity in Gaza, including 76 abducted during the October 7 attacks.

Of the 251 hostages taken on October 7, 2023, 175 have been returned or rescued, and Hamas is believed to be holding 35 bodies, 34 of them taken during the cross-border invasion and that of IDF Lt. Hadar Goldin, which was taken by the Palestinian terrorist group in 2014.