“Exploratory talks and initial discussions” have taken place between the Prime Minister’s Office and the White House to arrange a meeting between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump, two sources familiar with the matter told The Jerusalem Post.
They added that no official meeting had been set yet.
“There is no doubt that both sides have a shared interest in holding a ‘victory party’ after the war with Iran,” a senior Israeli official told Walla.
The two main issues to be discussed in such a meeting are a hostage deal (if it has not been finalized by then) and expanding the Abraham Accords, two interconnected issues.
Abraham Accords will expand with end to war in Gaza
As several officials shared with the Post: “Without ending the war in Gaza, there’s a limited chance, if at all, to expand the accords to more countries.”
Regarding the hostage deal negotiations, the Post reported that the idea of exiling senior Hamas officials and other terrorists from the Gaza Strip has recently resurfaced in discussions.
This proposal was previously raised multiple times, including by Gal Hirsch, Coordinator for the Hostages and the Missing, but was rejected by Hamas. Lately, it has returned to the table as part of ending the war.
Netanyahu said Israel was seeking “a dramatic expansion of peace agreements” in a Thursday statement.
Gov't ministers criticize development
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir addressed these developments on Thursday evening, including criticizing negotiations that could lead to the establishment of a Palestinian state.
“I find it hard to believe that the prime minister will repeat the mistakes of the past and enter negotiations that will lead to the establishment of a Palestinian terror state or dangerous concessions. The people of Israel want victory, not more attempts to appease terror under the guise of peace.
Ben-Gvir continued, “The prime minister knows as well: Only a decisive victory, including conquest, settlement, and governance, is the true answer to the Palestinian lie, not withdrawals and surrendering to terrorists disguised as human beings.”