WASHINGTON/TEL AVIV: Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu was due to meet with US President Trump at White House Monday, while Israeli officials held indirect talks with Hamas aimed at securing a US-brokered Gaza ceasefire and hostage-release deal.
Netanyahu's visit follows Trump's prediction that such an agreement could be reached this week. Before heading to Washington, the right-wing politician said his talks with Trump could help advance negotiations underway in Qatar between Israel and the Palestinian militant group.
It was Trump's third time hosting Netanyahu since returning to office in Jan, and comes just over two weeks after the president ordered the bombing of Iranian nuclear sites in support of Israeli air strikes. Trump then helped arrange a ceasefire in the 12-day war. Trump and his aides appeared to be trying to seize on any momentum created by the weakening of Iran, which backs Hamas, to push both sides for a breakthrough in the 21-month Gaza war.
Palestinian sources said Israel's refusal to allow the free and safe entry of aid into Gaza remains the main obstacle to progress in the indirect talks. On the second day of negotiations, mediators hosted one round and talks were expected to resume in the evening. The US-backed proposal for a 60-day ceasefire, which Witkoff played a major role in crafting, envisages a phased release of hostages, Israeli troop withdrawals from parts of Gaza and discussions on ending the war entirely.
(This is a Reuters story)
Netanyahu's visit follows Trump's prediction that such an agreement could be reached this week. Before heading to Washington, the right-wing politician said his talks with Trump could help advance negotiations underway in Qatar between Israel and the Palestinian militant group.
It was Trump's third time hosting Netanyahu since returning to office in Jan, and comes just over two weeks after the president ordered the bombing of Iranian nuclear sites in support of Israeli air strikes. Trump then helped arrange a ceasefire in the 12-day war. Trump and his aides appeared to be trying to seize on any momentum created by the weakening of Iran, which backs Hamas, to push both sides for a breakthrough in the 21-month Gaza war.
Palestinian sources said Israel's refusal to allow the free and safe entry of aid into Gaza remains the main obstacle to progress in the indirect talks. On the second day of negotiations, mediators hosted one round and talks were expected to resume in the evening. The US-backed proposal for a 60-day ceasefire, which Witkoff played a major role in crafting, envisages a phased release of hostages, Israeli troop withdrawals from parts of Gaza and discussions on ending the war entirely.
(This is a Reuters story)
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