Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returned to the White House on Tuesday evening for a second meeting in 24 hours with U.S. President Donald Trump, amid growing American pressure to finalize a ceasefire and hostage release agreement with Hamas.
The unannounced Oval Office meeting, which lasted over an hour and included Vice President J.D. Vance, focused almost entirely on Gaza. According to The Times of Israel, Trump applied “maximum pressure” on Netanyahu to reach a deal, emphasizing to reporters beforehand: “It’s a tragedy. He wants to get it solved. I want to get it solved. I think the other side wants to as well.”
Despite anticipation of a breakthrough, no public statement followed the meeting. U.S. special envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff postponed his scheduled departure for Doha – where indirect talks are taking place – signaling that more work was needed. U.S. and Qatari officials had held a three-hour meeting earlier Tuesday to discuss the hostage file.
According to Saudi Asharq News, the fifth round of proximity talks in Doha ended Tuesday night without notable progress. A Palestinian official told the outlet that talks were “at a standstill,” accusing the Israeli negotiating team of “just listening,” rather than engaging, and blaming Netanyahu’s office for blocking any significant decisions.
In a statement after the White House meeting, Netanyahu confirmed the focus was on “efforts to release our hostages.” He reiterated that Israel is determined to achieve its three main objectives: freeing all hostages, destroying Hamas’s military and governmental capabilities, and preventing Gaza from ever again posing a threat to Israel.
Meanwhile, indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas, mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, are reportedly nearing a critical point. The proposed deal, according to multiple sources including Ynet and The Jerusalem Post, includes a 60-day ceasefire, the release of 10 living hostages in two phases, the return of 18 bodies, the release of Palestinian prisoners, and expanded humanitarian aid to Gaza. Trump has reportedly offered to serve as guarantor for follow-up negotiations.
According to Sky News, U.S. pressure on Netanyahu is expected to intensify further in the coming days. Palestinian-American businessman Bishara Bahbah, known for serving as an unofficial backchannel between Washington and Hamas, is said to have conveyed a message from Trump to the organization, assuring that “fighting will not resume after the 60-day truce.”
Despite this, Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed Al-Ansari urged patience on Tuesday, saying “more time is needed” for a breakthrough. He noted that the Doha discussions are focused on establishing a framework for ongoing negotiations.
With AFP
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