US President Donald Trump told reporters that he expects to have a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas by next week when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits the US.
In his comments, Trump noted that the Israeli leader also wanted to end the war in Gaza and that he planned to be “very firm with Netanyahu” on ending the Israel-Hamas War.
This comes after the prime minister on Tuesday confirmed that he would travel to the US next week to meet the president and other senior officials.
The Jerusalem Post previously reported that Netanyahu would visit Washington on Monday and that Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer would arrive earlier.
The prime minister said that he would meet officials to discuss security-related matters and trade agreements.
“I’m expected to travel to the United States next week for meetings with US President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State and National Security Advisor Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, the president’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, and the Secretary of Commerce,” Netanyahu said during a cabinet meeting.
Awaiting Dermer's meetings in Washington prior to considering steps in Gaza
On Monday, the cabinet held a discussion and will wait to hear about Dermer’s meetings in Washington before considering additional significant steps in Gaza.
Dermer, a confidant of Netanyahu, is in Washington to meet with White House officials, Trump’s spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt told reporters at a press briefing on Monday.
Dermer is exploring the possibilities of regional diplomatic deals in the wake of Israel’s 12-day war with Iran last month, as well as ending the Israel-Hamas War, according to an Israeli official.
Settling tariff issue
Trump said last week that his administration would send letters to a number of countries notifying them of their higher tariff rates before July 9, when the duties are scheduled to revert from a temporary 10% level to a range between 11% and 50% announced on April 2 and subsequently suspended.
The US initially set a 17% tariff on Israeli goods sold in the US.
“We still have a few things to finalize to reach a trade agreement in addition to other matters,” Netanyahu said, referring to Trump’s tariff plans. “I’ll also have meetings with congressional and Senate leaders and some security meetings.”