U.S. President Donald Trump will host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on July 7. The visit comes as Trump increases pressure for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, and works to secure the release of hostages still held by the group.
Ron Dermer, a senior adviser to Netanyahu, is already in Washington this week for talks with White House officials. Trump’s spokesperson, Karoline Leavitt, confirmed on Monday that preparations for Netanyahu’s visit are underway and that the U.S. administration is in constant communication with Israeli leaders.
According to an Israeli official in Washington, the two leaders will discuss key regional issues, including the war in Gaza, Iran, the situation in Syria, and broader security challenges facing the Middle East.
This visit comes at a critical time. On Sunday, President Trump posted on social media urging an end to the ongoing war, writing: “Make the deal in Gaza, get the hostages back.” The next day, Israeli airstrikes on northern Gaza killed at least 60 people, marking one of the deadliest days in recent weeks.
Leavitt said the President is deeply focused on ending the violence and prioritizes the return of all remaining hostages. She acknowledged the suffering on both sides, calling the images from Gaza and Israel “heartbreaking,” but emphasized that Trump’s main concern is resolving the crisis and securing peace.
The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel. Fighters stormed into southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people—mostly civilians—and taking 251 hostages into Gaza. It was the deadliest day in Israel’s history.
In response, Israel began a large-scale military campaign across Gaza, aimed at dismantling Hamas. Since then, more than 56,000 Palestinians—mostly civilians—have been killed, according to the Gaza health ministry. Nearly the entire population of 2.3 million has been displaced, with many facing severe shortages of food, water, shelter, and medical care.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has drawn global concern, and world leaders continue to call for a ceasefire and meaningful negotiations. President Trump, now taking a more direct role, is pushing for a resolution that ends the violence and brings home the hostages.
Trump’s administration sees the upcoming meeting with Netanyahu as a key opportunity to advance these goals. While details of the meeting’s agenda are still being finalized, both sides are expected to explore options for reducing tensions, protecting civilians, and moving toward a long-term solution.
The situation remains complex, and it’s unclear whether this visit will lead to immediate progress. Still, Trump’s team believes that face-to-face diplomacy could help bring a breakthrough. Leavitt said the President is committed to doing “whatever it takes” to stop the war and bring peace to the region.
As the July 7 meeting approaches, all eyes will be on Washington to see whether this renewed effort will shift the course of the conflict—or if the violence in Gaza will continue to escalate.
