Netanyahu discusses Gaza war and regional ties ahead of Washington visit

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with President Isaac Herzog on Sunday to prepare for his upcoming visit to Washington. Talks centered on the ongoing war in Gaza and efforts to expand Israel’s diplomatic relations with Arab nations, according to a statement from the president's office.

Netanyahu is set to meet US President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday. The talks aim to address the 21-month-long conflict between Israel and Hamas, with the United States pushing for a resolution. In parallel, indirect negotiations mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the US were scheduled to resume in Doha on Sunday.

Focus on hostages and truce proposal

President Herzog expressed strong support for Netanyahu’s mission, emphasizing the importance of securing the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas. “This is a supreme moral duty,” Herzog stated, acknowledging the complexity and high stakes of such negotiations.

Reports indicate that a proposed 60-day truce is under discussion. As part of the deal, Hamas would release 10 living hostages and several bodies in exchange for Palestinians detained by Israel. However, some Israeli voices have called for a comprehensive agreement to secure the release of all hostages in a single exchange.

Expanding regional ties

The meeting also touched on the potential to deepen Israel’s regional partnerships through the US-brokered Abraham Accords. Signed in 2020, the accords normalized relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Morocco. Herzog’s office noted discussions about expanding ties with additional nations.

Foreign Minister Gideon Saar recently expressed Israel’s interest in normalizing relations with Lebanon and Syria, although Damascus dismissed the possibility as “premature.” Efforts to broaden regional cooperation remain a cornerstone of Israel’s foreign policy agenda.

Netanyahu’s visit to Washington is expected to focus on both immediate security concerns and long-term diplomatic goals, including further integration into the region through US-led initiatives.