Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu left for the U.S. to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump, aiming to strengthen ties with the U.S. government following tensions with the Biden administration over the war in Gaza. The meeting comes as the ceasefire with Hamas, which includes hostage releases, is still in effect, with negotiations for a second phase expected to begin this week.
Netanyahu is the first foreign leader to visit Trump since his inauguration on January 20. Signifying the strength of the alliance between Israel and the U.S., the meeting also reflects their strong connection, which has led to significant achievements, including the Abraham Accords, historic peace agreements between Israel and four Arab countries.
The meeting comes nearly 16 months after the war in Gaza began, prompted by Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack against Israel, which led to military retaliation from Israeli forces. Netanyahu believes that the decisions made during the war, combined with the bravery of Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers, have already changed the face of the Middle East and can be further improved through close collaboration with Trump.
In a statement, Netanyahu noted that the meeting is an opportunity to strengthen Israel’s security, expand the circle of peace, and bring about a wonderful era of prosperity, security, and peace from a position of strength. He emphasized the strength of Israel’s soldiers, citizens, and alliance with the U.S.
