Netanyahu heads to meeting with Trump in Washington, looking for deal to reshape the Middle East

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is flying to the U.S. later this evening (Sunday), for a visit with U.S. President Donald Trump following the successful Operation Rising Lion campaign against Iran’s nuclear program. 

While the two leaders are expected to boast about their success in destroying Iran’s nuclear sites, many expect to hear some news regarding a hostage-ceasefire deal in Gaza. Trump has been quite vocal in his calls to end the Gaza War and free the hostages. 

Last week, Trump announced that Israel had agreed to a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza before Netanyahu had spoken about such a deal. 

Earlier last week, Trump also posted a message saying, “Make the deal in Gaza. Get the hostages back!” 

Trump is reportedly pressuring both Hamas, through mediators from Qatar and Egypt, and Israel to agree to a deal that would include a 60-day ceasefire, the release of 10 living and 18 deceased hostages. Reports in U.S. media say that Trump wants to see progress on the deal by Monday evening, when he will meet with Netanyahu at the White House. 

On Friday night, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that he was "very optimistic" about the prospects for a deal in the coming week. 

However, according to Dan Diker, president of the Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs, Netanyahu is looking for more than just a hostage-ceasefire deal, he’s looking for a broader regional “deal of the century.” 

Diker said that he believes Netanyahu is going to try to keep momentum going for expanding the Abraham Accords. 

“The fact that Netanyahu is going earlier than expected means that there is the deal of the century, the real deal of the century, that is currently in the oven,” Diker stated, “and that’s why Minister [Ron] Dermer is there, because Netanyahu would never go to Washington just to discuss some sort of ceasefire.” 

Many Israelis do hope to see some announcement of a hostage-ceasefire deal, as expressed by Israeli President Isaac Herzog. 

Herzog met with Netanyahu before his trip to Washington on Sunday morning, calling the trip “an important mission.” 

Herzog emphasized  the importance of Netanyahu’s trip at this time, while Israel is hoping to achieve a hostage-ceasefire deal. Herzog expressed full support for efforts to return the hostages, even for difficult and complex decisions. 

“The Prime Minister's trip to Washington is an important mission, intended to promote a deal that will return all of our kidnapped brothers home, it is a supreme moral obligation. I fully support these efforts - even when it comes to difficult, complex and painful decisions,” Herzog said in a statement. “We must all remember that the price is not simple, but I am confident that the cabinet and the security establishment will be able to deal with the challenges as they have faced so far.” 

The two also discussed the opportunity to extend ties with additional Arab or Muslim countries, as part of Trump's initiative for expanding the Abraham Accords. 

Herzog asked Netanyahu to convey a message of thanks to Trump.

“I would like to thank U.S. President Donald Trump for his support for the elimination of Iran's nuclear program and his uncompromising support for Israel,” Herzog stated.