Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet today (Tuesday) with US President Donald Trump, marking the first foreign leader to visit the White House during his second term. The two are expected to discuss the Gaza ceasefire agreement, the possibility of a regional arrangement, expanding normalization, and Iran's nuclear race.
Trump is expected to welcome Netanyahu at 4:00 p.m. Afterwards, the two will meet privately in the Oval Office, followed by a meeting with both leaders' teams. At 5:10 p.m., they are expected to hold a joint press conference.
8:41 p.m. (1:41 p.m. ET): US envoy Steve Witkoff announced he will meet with Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed Al-Thani in Florida on Thursday. Witkoff stated that negotiations are now in the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire talks while working to ensure the implementation of the first phase.
8:24 p.m. Israel (1:24 p.m. ET): In a Fox News interview, US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz discussed the president's plans to expand the Abraham Accords and assured that the new administration will not restrict weapons deliveries to Israel. He emphasized that Hamas cannot be allowed to persist as a threat, and reaffirmed the administration's full support for Israel's right to self-defense, including continued arms shipments.
7:20 p.m. (12:20 p.m. ET): Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu engaged in preparations ahead of his meeting with President Donald Trump.
6:32 p.m. (11:32 a.m. ET): Ahead of Netanyahu and Trump's meeting, hostages' families urge leaders to secure a complete hostage deal and not leave their loved ones behind. "You are the only ones who can bring everyone back. Don't leave anyone behind – bring them home now." A truck carrying a message thanking President Trump and asking for his help to bring the hostages home will drive through key areas around the White House during their meeting.
4:43 p.m. (9:43 a.m. ET): An official US source told Reuters that the president will sign a presidential order today that will implement "maximum economic pressure" on Iran, including sanctions and enforcement against those who don't comply with them to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. The US administration is pressuring Israel not to attack Iran and offered the economic pressure route as a way to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear capabilities.
4:21 p.m. (9:21 a.m. ET): Senior Trump administration official said in a press briefing that "Trump and Netanyahu will discuss preserving the ceasefire in Gaza and he is committed to returning all hostages and ensuring that Hamas will not continue to control Gaza. The President sees the Gaza Strip as a disaster zone and it is inhumane to force people to live in an uninhabitable area."
