Center East disaster dwell: Netanyahu in Washington for Gaza ceasefire talks

Howdy and welcome to our dwell protection of the Center East.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is predicted to start talks at the moment on brokering a second section of the ceasefire with Hamas, his workplace mentioned, as he visits the brand new Trump administration in Washington.

Forward of his departure, Netanyahu informed reporters he would focus on “victory over Hamas”, with out defining what this might imply in sensible phrases, contending with Iran and releasing all hostages when he meets with the US President on Tuesday.

Will probably be Trump’s first assembly with a international chief since returning to the White Home in January, a prioritisation Netanyahu known as “telling”.

“I believe it’s an affidavit to the power of the Israeli-American alliance,” he mentioned earlier than boarding his flight.

He was welcomed to the US capital on Sunday evening by Israel’s ambassador to the UN Danny Danon, who careworn the approaching Trump-Netanyahu assembly would strengthen “the deep alliance between Israel and the USA and can improve our cooperation”.

Netanyahu’s workplace mentioned he would start discussions with Trump’s Center East envoy Steve Witkoff on Monday over phrases for the second section of the truce.

The preliminary, 42-day section of the deal is because of finish subsequent month. The subsequent stage is predicted to cowl the discharge of the remaining captives and to incorporate discussions on a extra everlasting finish to Israel’s conflict on Gaza.