Preliminary conversations are underway between the Prime Minister’s Office and the White House aimed at arranging a meeting between Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu and President Donald Trump, according to two sources who spoke with The Jerusalem Post.
The sources clarified that while initial contacts have been made, a formal meeting has not yet been scheduled.
“There is no doubt that both sides have a shared interest in holding a ‘victory party’ after the war with Iran,” a senior Israeli official told Walla.
The anticipated agenda for the potential meeting would likely include two major topics: reaching a final agreement on the hostage deal (if not concluded beforehand) and efforts to expand the Abraham Accords — two areas seen as closely tied to each other.
Concerning the negotiations to free the hostages, it has recently emerged that the notion of deporting senior Hamas figures and other militants from Gaza is back in discussion.
This idea had been proposed previously, including by Gal Hirsch, Israel’s official in charge of hostages and missing persons, but had been rejected by Hamas. It has since resurfaced as a potential part of ending the current conflict.
In a statement on Thursday, Netanyahu reiterated his goal of pursuing “a dramatic expansion of peace agreements.”
Responding to these developments, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir delivered pointed remarks Thursday evening, warning against any diplomatic moves that might result in the formation of a Palestinian state.
“I find it hard to believe that the prime minister will repeat the mistakes of the past and enter negotiations that will lead to the establishment of a Palestinian terror state or dangerous concessions. The people of Israel want victory, not more attempts to appease terror under the guise of peace.”
Ben-Gvir added: “The prime minister knows as well: only a decisive victory, including conquest, settlement, and governance, is the true answer to the Palestinian lie, not withdrawals and surrendering to terrorists disguised as human beings.”
{Matzav.com}