President Trump's first meeting with a world leader since his return to office will focus on critical issues related to the Middle East. He is set to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Tuesday afternoon, followed by a joint press conference. High on the agenda are the ongoing Gaza ceasefire, the release of remaining hostages held by Hamas, and the potential expansion of the Abraham Accords.
Senior administration officials have indicated that securing the freedom of all hostages and preventing Hamas from continuing to govern are key priorities for the president. The two leaders are expected to present a unified front regarding the next steps in the ceasefire negotiations and hostage release efforts.
The dire situation in Gaza, described by President Trump as a "demolition site," will also be a major topic of discussion. The president believes the living conditions in Gaza are inhumane and is looking at long-term rebuilding efforts, though he acknowledges this will require a multinational approach. Officials estimate the reconstruction could take 10 to 15 years.
Expanding the Abraham Accords, a significant achievement of the first Trump administration, is another key objective. The president sees opportunities to broaden the agreement and include more countries in this historic peace initiative. While acknowledging the complexity of the process, officials emphasized the administration's commitment to pursuing this goal.
The meeting comes nearly 16 months after Hamas's attack on Israel and the subsequent war in Gaza. Netanyahu underscored the significance of the meeting with President Trump, highlighting the strong alliance between the U.S. and Israel, and the potential for further positive change in the Middle East.
This meeting follows a previous encounter between Trump and Netanyahu at Mar-a-Lago in July. During that visit, Netanyahu also addressed Congress and met with former President Biden to discuss the American hostages held by Hamas. Currently, 79 hostages remain in Gaza, including six with dual U.S.-Israeli citizenship.
