WASHINGTON/GAZA: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday his meeting with US President Donald Trump focused on freeing hostages held in Gaza, as Israel continued to pound the Palestinian territory amid efforts to reach a ceasefire.
Netanyahu said on X that the leaders also discussed the consequences and possibilities of "the great victory we achieved over Iran.
Netanyahu is making his third US visit since Trump took office on January 20 and had earlier told reporters that while he did not think Israel's campaign in the Palestinian enclave was done, negotiators are "certainly working" on a ceasefire.
Trump met Netanyahu on Tuesday for the second time in two days to discuss the situation in Gaza. The President's special envoy to West Asia, Steve Witkoff, lated indicated that Israel and Hamas were nearing an agreement on a ceasefire deal after 21 months of war.
Witkoff said the number of issues preventing Israel and Hamas from reaching an agreement had decreased from four to one, expressing optimism for a temporary ceasefire deal by the end of the week.
Witkoff told reporters at a Cabinet meeting that the anticipated agreement would involve a 60-day ceasefire, with the release of 10 living and nine deceased hostages.
Netanyahu met with Vice President JD Vance before visiting the US Capitol on Tuesday.
"We have still to finish the job in Gaza, release all our hostages, eliminate and destroy Hamas' military and government capabilities," Netanyahu told reporters on Tuesday.
Netanyahu said on X that the leaders also discussed the consequences and possibilities of "the great victory we achieved over Iran.
Netanyahu is making his third US visit since Trump took office on January 20 and had earlier told reporters that while he did not think Israel's campaign in the Palestinian enclave was done, negotiators are "certainly working" on a ceasefire.
Trump met Netanyahu on Tuesday for the second time in two days to discuss the situation in Gaza. The President's special envoy to West Asia, Steve Witkoff, lated indicated that Israel and Hamas were nearing an agreement on a ceasefire deal after 21 months of war.
Witkoff said the number of issues preventing Israel and Hamas from reaching an agreement had decreased from four to one, expressing optimism for a temporary ceasefire deal by the end of the week.
Witkoff told reporters at a Cabinet meeting that the anticipated agreement would involve a 60-day ceasefire, with the release of 10 living and nine deceased hostages.
Netanyahu met with Vice President JD Vance before visiting the US Capitol on Tuesday.
"We have still to finish the job in Gaza, release all our hostages, eliminate and destroy Hamas' military and government capabilities," Netanyahu told reporters on Tuesday.
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