Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced that he will meet U.S. President Donald Trump at the end of the month to discuss prospects for peace in the Middle East. The second, more complex phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement may also come into effect soon.
Netanyahu said on Sunday that, following a phone call with Trump, he had received an invitation to the White House, adding that the location of the meeting would be announced shortly. According to the prime minister, the discussions will focus on advancing regional peace.
His remarks came during a joint press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who is visiting Israel for the first time since the Gaza war strained the traditionally strong ties between the two countries.
He also confirmed that the first phase of the U.S.-backed ceasefire plan for Gaza had been completed and that Israel would move to the second phase “very soon.” The prime minister said the next stage will focus on disarming Hamas and demilitarising Gaza, followed by a third phase aimed at deradicalising the Palestinian enclave.
Netanyahu noted that, since the ceasefire took effect on October 10, Hamas has agreed to release the prisoners captured during the October 7, 2023 attack. Merz stressed that Germany remains an ally of Israel, but said that criticism of Israeli policy is “sometimes necessary” and must not be used as a pretext for antisemitism.
