Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will visit Washington, DC, next week to meet with US President Donald Trump. This marks Netanyahu as the first foreign leader to visit the White House since Trump’s return to office earlier this month.
The Israeli government confirmed the visit is set for February 4, following Trump’s recent efforts to broker peace in the region. A fragile ceasefire in Gaza, credited to the Trump administration, has temporarily halted fighting, allowing thousands of displaced Palestinians to return home. The deal also saw prisoner exchanges, though its stability remains uncertain.
Despite the ceasefire, tensions in Gaza and Lebanon persist. Trump, while emphasizing his role in facilitating peace, expressed doubts about the truce’s longevity, stating, “That’s not our war; it’s their war.”
Trump’s administration has shown strong support for Israel, recently lifting a freeze on 2,000-pound bomb transfers and maintaining substantial military aid. Netanyahu praised Trump for “keeping promises” to bolster Israel’s defense capabilities.
This meeting also carries political weight, as Netanyahu faces criticism for alleged war crimes in Gaza, while Trump’s first-term moves, like recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, underline his pro-Israel stance.
Trump, however, insists his broader goal is peace, saying, “We will measure our success by the wars we end and those we avoid.”
The world watches as these leaders navigate complex regional dynamics, with hopes for a sustainable resolution to ongoing conflicts.
