Washington, D.C. — April 5, 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump is set to host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Monday, marking their second official meeting since Trump’s return to office earlier this year.
The high-level engagement comes as Israel intensifies its military campaign in Gaza, deploying troops to establish a new security corridor aimed at pressuring Hamas. The controversial maneuver follows a deadly escalation that broke a fragile ceasefire last month, leaving hundreds of Palestinians dead and drawing renewed international scrutiny.
In recent days, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has confirmed plans to permanently control large swaths of Gaza under expanded “security zones,” raising alarm among humanitarian groups and regional observers.
The White House has backed Israel’s push to dismantle Hamas, which Washington and several Western nations classify as a terrorist organization. The group launched a coordinated attack on October 7, 2023, which triggered the current war. Israel maintains that its military operations will continue until Hamas returns all remaining hostages, disarms, and exits the coastal enclave.
Since the breakdown of the truce, Israel has imposed a total blockade on Gaza, halting the delivery of food, fuel, and humanitarian aid, deepening the territory’s already dire humanitarian crisis.
According to a statement released by Netanyahu’s office, Monday’s talks will address a wide range of issues including the U.S.-Israel trade tariff dispute, the ongoing efforts to secure the return of Israeli hostages, regional security threats from Iran, the legal battle with the International Criminal Court, and Israel’s strained relations with Turkey.
The meeting underscores a strengthening alliance between the two leaders, even as international pressure mounts on Israel over its military strategy and humanitarian impact in Gaza. Observers expect the leaders to present a united front on key geopolitical challenges facing the region, despite growing criticism from human rights bodies and global watchdogs.
By [Your Name], White House Correspondent
Follow for real-time updates on U.S. foreign policy and Middle East developments.
