Netanyahu Accepts Trump’s Invite, Will Meet At White House Next Week

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Trump are expected to meet next week in Washington, making him the first foreign leader to visit to the White House since Trump returned to office.

The White House confirmed Netanyahu had accepted the invite for the Feb. 4 meeting.

Netanyahu's visit comes amid a temporary ceasefire deal in Gaza, struck just as former President Biden was leaving office, between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas. The agreement, which Trump and Biden both took credit for, brought a pause in fighting to the more than 15-month-long war.

In a letter from the White House, Trump said he looks forward to discussing how the U.S. “can bring peace to Israel and its neighbors,” and how they can work together to “counter our shared adversaries.”

The event is also a chance for Netanyahu, who is under pressure in Israel, to remind the world that he has been supported by Trump and the U.S. through the duration of the war in Gaza, The Associated Press reported.

Netanyahu also wants to urge Trump to continue delivering military aid to Israel and to put more pressure on Iran, as the nation works to bring home the remaining hostages following Hamas's initial attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023 — which killed 1,200 Israelis and around 250 people were taken captive.

The prime minister and Trump met last July at his Mar-a-Lago estate, as the president's campaign ramped up.