Trump and Netanyahu Meet Again as Gaza Ceasefire Talks Gain Momentum

In a week filled with high-level diplomatic urgency, US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met for the second time on Tuesday in the Oval Office, as they tried to make efforts for a ceasefire in Gaza. The meeting, reported by Anadolu Agency, lasted over an hour and was followed by a long dinner discussion at the White House on Monday evening.

A Silent Oval Office, but Loud Diplomatic Activity

While the White House chose to keep the Tuesday meeting closed to the press, Netanyahu’s official X (formerly Twitter) account confirmed the session had concluded. It was the Israeli leader’s third visit to the US since Trump began his second term back in January.

At the same time, a group of Qatari officials was also in Washington, meeting with top White House staff before the Trump-Netanyahu talks began. According to Axios, the discussions with Qatar went on for several hours, showing how the strategic role Doha is playing in the ongoing negotiations between Israel and Hamas.

“Finish the Job” in Gaza: Netanyahu Speaks on Capitol Hill

Earlier that day, Netanyahu met with Vice President JD Vance and visited Capitol Hill, where he spoke with House Speaker Mike Johnson and other members of the Congress. After the meetings were over, he told reporters that Israel still stands strong on its goals in Gaza and isn’t planning to back down.

“We still have to finish the job,  releasing our hostages, destroying Hamas’ military infrastructure, and ending their governance over Gaza,” Netanyahu stated, suggesting that any ceasefire deal would have to meet Israel’s main security needs.

He also added that more discussions with President Trump may take place later during his visit, although there have been no additional meetings publicly confirmed.

Ceasefire Talks Narrow to One Key Sticking Point

Optimism around a potential truce was echoed by US special envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, who joined Trump during the day’s meetings. Witkoff told reporters he was “hopeful” that a 60-day ceasefire agreement could be reached by the end of the week.

“After two days of proximity talks, we’ve managed to resolve three of the four key issues. We’re now down to one,” Witkoff said, without elaborating on the remaining point of contention.

Sources familiar with the talks believe the unresolved issue could relate to sequencing, whether Israeli hostages are released before or during the ceasefire, and under what conditions Israel would begin scaling back its military operations.

The Bigger Picture: A Fragile Window for Peace

These talks are happening at a very crucial time. When the world is putting more and more pressure on all sides to end the long going war in Gaza, which has caused mass destruction and conflict across the globe.  

The United States is trying to hold onto its strong friendship with Israel while also listening to Americans themselves asking for a break in the fighting to help civilians.  Due to this, the US is relying more on nearby countries like Qatar to help talk with Hamas and find a way to calm things down.

While both Netanyahu and Trump have kept back from offering detailed public comments following their Tuesday meeting, the frequency and intensity of recent engagements suggest a deal may be closer than ever, but still not fully guaranteed.

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