On Monday, US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced new discussions to free more Gaza hostages from Gaza hostages
“We’re working now on another deal that we hope will succeed, and we’re committed to getting all the hostages out,” Netanyahu told Oval Office reporters.
Trump stated, “We are trying very hard to get the hostages out. We’ll see what happens with another ceasefire.”
Netanyahu stated that “the hostages are in agony, and we want to get them all out”.
The Israeli leader, seated next to Trump, noted that Trump’s regional envoy Steve Witkoff “got 25 out” in a hostage release agreement.
Netanyahu’s visit followed the collapse of Israel’s six-week truce with Hamas, whose fighters launched an unprecedented onslaught on Israel on October 7, 2023, prompting Israel’s continuous bombardment of Gaza.
The Israeli response has murdered over 50,000 Palestinians and destroyed much of the enclave’s houses and hospitals. The death toll may be higher due to many missing under the rubble.
The tenuous ceasefire ended on March 18 when Israel resumed air raids in Gaza.
Some 1,800 Palestinians incarcerated in Israeli jails were released in exchange for 33 Israeli hostages, eight of whom were deceased, during the current truce.
Against the counsel of most captive families, the prime minister and his government believe that Hamas must return the remaining hostages, dead or alive, by military pressure.
Of the 251 captives captured by Hamas on October 7, 58 remain in Gaza, including 34 who the Israeli military says are dead.
Trump revived his controversial plan of taking over Gaza and displacing its two million people on Monday.
“I think it’s an incredible piece of important real estate, and I think we would be involved in,” Trump remarked.
Having a peace force like the US governing and owning the Gaza Strip would be beneficial because of current conditions. Trump claimed he just hears about slaughter, Hamas, and difficulties.
He added, “And if you take the people, the Palestinians, and move them around to different countries, and you have plenty of countries that will do that, and you really have a freedom, a freedom zone.”
Trump has often called Gaza, which the Palestinians seek as part of their future state, the “Riviera of the Middle East” and a financial opportunity.
International and Arab governments have strongly opposed this proposal, including Egypt and Jordan, where Trump has proposed sending Gazan Palestinians.
Netanyahu promises to end Israel’s US trade surplus.
Netanyahu also committed to eliminate Israel’s trade imbalance with the US, a move world leaders will monitor closely as Trump’s tariff program roils markets.
Netanyahu stated, “We intend to do it very quickly,” sitting next to Trump in the Oval Office.
“We think it’s right, and we’ll eliminate trade barriers.”
Netanyahu was the first foreign leader to meet with Trump at the White House since Trump’s tariff announcement last week, which shook global financial markets and prompted recession fears.
America, Israel’s closest ally and greatest commercial partner, had a $7.4 billion goods trade imbalance with Israel last year. Under Trump’s new policy, Israeli goods incur 17% US duty.
On whether his administration might lower Israeli tariffs, Trump was silent.
He remarked, “We’ve been ripped off and taken advantage of by many countries over the years, and no longer can do it.”
Last Tuesday, Israel eliminated its US import duties. The two countries struck a free trade deal 40 years ago, making 98% of US goods tax-free.
