BURSTPresident Trump will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu next week to discuss the aftermath of strikes against Iran, trade issues and next steps related to Israel’s war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip and the fate of hostages held there.
The two leaders are expected to meet at the White House on Monday.
“He’s coming here. We’re going to talk about a lot of things. We’re going to talk about the great success we had… in Iran, we had an incredible success,” Trump told reporters this morning while leaving the White House for Florida, referring to strikes by both Israel and the U.S. on Iran.
“We’re also going to talk about Gaza.”
Netanyahu, speaking at the start of a government meeting on Tuesday, said Iran would be at the top of the agenda.
“Taking advantage of the success is no less an important part of achieving the success,” Netanyahu said.
The Israeli leader also said there are several items to discuss to reach a trade agreement with the U.S., adding that he will meet with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. Israel is under a 10 percent tariff imposed by Trump in April on all countries, and was threatened with a 17 percent reciprocal tariff that is expected to go into effect on July 9.
Netanyahu also said he will meet with Vice President Vance, Secretary of State and National Security Adviser Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Trump’s special envoy for the Middle East and Russia, Steve Witkoff.
Trump said last week he saw the potential for a ceasefire in Gaza and pressed for a deal to release the hostages in a post on Truth Social on Sunday.
“MAKE THE DEAL IN GAZA. GET THE HOSTAGES BACK!!! DJT,” he wrote.
But Israel has increased its bombardments on the coastal enclave and while Netanyahu signals bringing military operations to a close in Gaza, he has not indicated he would agree to a deal. Speaking during a visit to a Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) facility in southern Israel on Sunday, Netanyahu said that the attacks against Iran have opened up “many opportunities.”
“Firstly, to rescue the hostages. Of course, we will also need to solve the Gaza issue, defeat Hamas, but I believe we will accomplish both missions.”
The Hostages Families Forum, an NGO advocating for the release of hostages held by Hamas through a ceasefire deal, criticized Netanyahu’s use of the word “rescue” instead of “release.”
“The difference of one word could mean the difference between salvation and loss for the hostages.”