Do Trump and Netanyahu’s goals align?published at 17:58 Greenwich Mean Time 4 February
Nomia Iqbal
North America correspondent
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wants to use this multi-day visit to the US to show he’s close with President Donald Trump – relations were a lot more strained with former President Joe Biden.
Still, there might be some differences between Netanyahu and Trump, who wants a permanent end to the war and all hostages returned. But members of Netanyahu’s right wing cabinet – who he needs to stay in power – want to resume attacks on Gaza until Hamas is completely destroyed.
With defence experts saying that is nearly impossible, Netanyahu may try to delay moving to the second phase of the deal, which calls for a permanent cease-fire.
He and Trump do agree on wanting to normalize relations with Saudis Arabia – but Riyadh wants a pathway to a Palestinian State.
Trump appears to not be on board with that demand. He recently said Gaza should be “cleaned out”, but didn’t add any details about what such a move would require.
Trump and Netanyahu set to discuss ceasefire, Iran and the wider Middle Eastpublished at 17:56 Greenwich Mean Time 4 February
Yolande Knell
Middle East correspondent
Image source, Reuters
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses a joint meeting of Congress in July 2024
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to shortly meet with President Trump in what will be the latter’s first White House meeting with a foreign leader in his second term.
It comes at a critical juncture for the Gaza ceasefire with reports that indirect talks have begun on the sensitive second stage of the deal. The Israeli prime minister is also currently facing a struggle for his political survival.
He has repeatedly stated that the existing Gaza deal is for a temporary ceasefire and that Israel has reserved “the right to return to fighting” against Hamas, saying this would have US backing.
The two leaders are expected to discuss a range of regional issues as well including reviving efforts to normalize relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia and how to deal with Iran.
We’ll be here this afternoon and into this evening to bring you the key developments, analysis and reaction.
But first we’ll get you up to speed with the latest in the Middle East – stay with us.