Netanyahu flies to Washington to meet Trump

The Israeli PM will discuss Gaza, hostages and strategy against Iran with the US president

Benjamin Netanyahu leaves today, Sunday 2 February, for Washington, where he will meet US President Donald Trump on Tuesday. The main topics of the summit between the two leaders will be the war in Gaza, the release of hostages and the fight against Iran. It is the first official meeting between Trump and a foreign leader since he returned to the White House, a sign of the centrality of the alliance between Israel and the US.

Netanyahu: ‘Our decisions are reshaping the Middle East’

Before boarding the ‘Wing of Zion’ state plane, Netanyahu stressed the importance of cooperation with Trump. According to the Israeli PM, the choices made during the conflict have already changed the balance in the region and an understanding with the US could further strengthen Israel’s position.

‘We will address crucial issues: victory over Hamas, the release of all our hostages, and countering the Iranian terrorist axis, which threatens not only Israel, but the entire Middle East and the world,’ Netanyahu said.

Hostage negotiations and the ceasefire

On Monday, before seeing Trump, Netanyahu will start talks in Washington on the second phase of the hostage deal. The PM has already spoken with Trump’s special envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, with whom he agreed to start the talks.

Yesterday, Israel welcomed the release of three Israeli and five Thai hostages by Hamas. However, Netanyahu warned that any future release must be without threat or risk to the hostages, as happened with the group released last Thursday, amidst wings of militants and at risk to the hostages’ safety.

Possible resumption of military operations in Gaza

As Netanyahu prepares for his meeting with Trump, rumours emerge about a possible resumption of large-scale military operations in Gaza. According to Israeli broadcaster Channel 13, the PM has asked the IDF leadership to prepare new operational plans. The decision seems to indicate a hard line, despite the ongoing ceasefire negotiations and the release of hostages.

Change at the top of the Israeli army

Meanwhile, Eyal Zamir has been appointed as the new chief of staff of the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF), taking over from Herzi Halevi, who will step down on 6 March. Zamir, 59, was considered the favourite candidate and will now have to manage military operations at a time of high tension.

Ron Dermer possible new chief of negotiations

Another change could concern the Israeli negotiating team. Netanyahu is considering the appointment of the Minister of Strategic Affairs, Ron Dermer, as head of the delegation for the talks with Hamas. According to Channel 12, Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, has reportedly expressed a preference for Dermer, believing that a diplomatic profile is more effective than the security officials currently involved in the negotiations. The Israeli PM will decide in the coming days whether to send a delegation to Qatar for further negotiations. However, his office denied the rumours, saying that final decisions will only be made after his return from Washington.

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(Photo: © AndKronos)