Synopsis
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserted the possibility of enhancing security and expanding peace efforts before his visit to Washington. He is set to discuss critical issues including the Gaza ceasefire, hostages, and the Iranian threat with US President Donald Trump, highlighting the importance of their alliance.Key Takeaways
- Netanyahu emphasizes enhancing security.
- Meetings with Trump focus on Gaza and hostages.
- Collaboration with Trump could reshape the Middle East.
- Normalization with Saudi Arabia remains a challenge.
- Ongoing ceasefire negotiations with Hamas continue.
Jerusalem, Feb 2 (NationPress) It is feasible to enhance security and broaden peace, stated Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday before his departure for Washington, where he is set to negotiate the subsequent phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement.
"I believe that we can fortify security, expand the circle of peace, and usher in a remarkable era of peace through strength," he commented prior to boarding the plane.
Netanyahu is scheduled to engage in discussions with US President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday regarding the Gaza situation, Israeli hostages, the Middle East, and global matters, according to a statement from his office reported by Xinhua news agency.
He emphasized that his meetings in the US capital "will address pivotal issues confronting Israel and the region -- victory over Hamas, ensuring the release of all our hostages, and tackling the Iranian terror axis in its entirety; an axis that endangers the peace of Israel, the Middle East, and the world at large."
While boarding the flight, he noted that being the first foreign leader to meet Trump in the White House since the latter's inauguration is "a testament to the strength of the Israeli-American alliance. It's also a testament to the strength of our personal friendship."
"The decisions we've made in this conflict have already transformed the landscape of the Middle East," Netanyahu proclaimed next to the state’s official aircraft, Wing of Zion, which is taking him to Washington.
"Our choices and the valor of our soldiers have reshaped the map. However, I am convinced that by collaborating closely with President Trump, we can alter it further, and for the better."
Netanyahu was seemingly alluding to relations with Saudi Arabia.
Israel is advocating for the formation of a negotiating team to engage in talks regarding formal relations with the Gulf state, reported the Kan public broadcaster on Saturday, adding that the Trump administration aims to facilitate peace between Jerusalem and Riyadh as part of the US President's vision for a "Golden Age of Peace in the Middle East."
This initiative would build upon the Abraham Accords, through which Israel established relations with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Morocco during Trump's initial term in office. Notably, Saudi Arabia did not participate in the 2020 accords and has never acknowledged Israel.
Normalization efforts with Saudi Arabia have been largely stalled due to the ongoing war in Gaza and Riyadh's stipulations for Israel to outline a diplomatic framework for a future Palestinian state.
The Israeli Prime Minister is also set to meet with Steve Witkoff, Trump's special envoy to the Middle East, to align perspectives on the next phase of the ceasefire.
Witkoff will subsequently converse with officials from Qatar and Egypt, who mediated the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.
Israel and Hamas reached a three-phase ceasefire agreement in January, under which Hamas has so far released 18 hostages, while Israel has freed hundreds of Palestinians detained in Israeli prisons.
As per Israeli statistics, over 70 hostages are still being held in Gaza.
