Israel Trump hopes for Gaza deal this week - meeting with Netanyahu
US President Donald Trump is hoping for a deal for a ceasefire and the release of hostages in the Gaza Strip this week. "I think we're close to an agreement on Gaza. We could do it this week," the Republican told journalists on Sunday (local time). He will meet Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House this evening at 18:30 local time (00:30 CEST/Tuesday), as confirmed by the US government. Shortly before his departure for Washington, Netanyahu reiterated his rejection of any agreement that would lead to the Islamist Hamas remaining in power in the Gaza Strip.
07.07.2025, 05:34
07.07.2025, 09:34
SDA
Before his meeting with Netanyahu, Trump expressed confidence that it would be possible to reach an agreement with Hamas on the release of further hostages. "We think we can do it this week". According to media reports, the latest proposal by mediator Qatar for a ceasefire, initially limited to 60 days, provides for the release of ten hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. According to Israeli information, at least 20 hostages held in Gaza are still alive. The status of two kidnap victims is unclear. In addition, there are the bodies of 28 abductees.
Netanyahu: Hamas will no longer exist
"We are working to bring about the much-discussed deal on the terms we agreed to," said Netanyahu before his departure. Shortly beforehand, he had described Hamas' demands for changes to Qatar's proposal as "unacceptable", but nevertheless sent a delegation to the Qatari capital Doha for new indirect talks on a deal. "I believe that talking to President Trump can definitely help advance the outcome we all hope for," he said.
He was determined to achieve three goals, Netanyahu said: to bring all hostages home, both living and dead; to eliminate Hamas' military and administrative capabilities and banish the terrorist organization from Gaza; and to ensure that the coastal strip no longer poses a threat to Israel. "Hamas will no longer exist," Netanyahu emphasized before departing for Washington.
Iran also a topic in Washington
This is his third meeting with US President Trump in six months. The allied USA, together with Qatar and Egypt, acts as a mediator between Israel and Hamas, as they do not talk to each other directly. Less than two weeks ago, Israel's war with Iran ended in a ceasefire after twelve days. In the course of the war, Israel and the USA bombed central facilities of the Iranian nuclear program.
Israel justified the war with the threat posed by Iran's nuclear program. Western governments fear that Tehran is striving for nuclear weapons. The Iranian leadership rejects this. The successful airstrikes in Iran made it possible to "expand the circle of peace far beyond what we could have imagined in the past", said Israel's head of government.
The changed realities bring Israel and the entire Middle East a "great future", said Netanyahu before his departure to the USA. Meanwhile, Trump said in Washington: "We are working with Israel on many things, and one of them is probably a permanent agreement with Iran".
Israeli air force bombs targets in Yemen
Meanwhile, Israel's air force said it had attacked military facilities of the Iran-aligned Houthi militia in Yemen during the night. Targets were the ports of Ras Issa, Hudaida and Salif in the west of the country, the army announced on Telegram. The ports are used by the Houthis to transport weapons from Iran for terrorist operations against Israel and its allies. The merchant ship "Galaxy Leader", which was captured by the Houthi in November 2023, was also hit in Ras Issa. The militia had installed a radar system on the ship to track ships in international maritime traffic for terrorist attacks.
The Ras Kanatib power plant near the port city of Hudaida was also attacked, the Israeli army added. "As I warned, Yemen is being treated like (the Iranian capital) Tehran," said Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz. "Anyone who tries to harm Israel will be harmed, anyone who raises their hand against Israel will lose it," Katz wrote on Telegram. Shortly afterwards, the sirens sounded again in Israel. The air defense was activated to intercept two rockets fired from Yemen, the army announced in the morning.
Gaza war has been going on for 21 months
Since the beginning of the Gaza war in October 2023, the Houthi have repeatedly attacked Israel with missiles and drones - according to their own statements as an expression of their solidarity with Hamas in Gaza. The Gaza war, which has now been going on for 21 months, was triggered by the attack on Israel by Hamas and other Islamist organizations on 7 October 2023, in which around 1,200 people were killed and more than 250 were taken hostage in Gaza.
According to the Hamas-controlled health authority, more than 57,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since then. The figure, which is almost impossible to verify independently, does not distinguish between civilians and fighters.
