Jerusalem/Washington, July 9 (UNI) In a surprise development during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to Washington, he was reported to have held an unscheduled 90-minute meeting with US President Donald Trump, and US Vice President JD Vance yesterday evening, intensifying efforts to secure a 60-day ceasefire and a hostage deal in the ongoing Gaza conflict.
According to Axios, the meeting which followed a dinner between the two leaders the night before, was not on Netanyahu’s official itinerary but came amid a fresh wave of diplomatic activity and cautious optimism surrounding the stalled negotiations.
The media agency reported that the trilateral meeting coincided with a separate round of diplomatic activity at the White House, where a Qatari delegation—acting as a key mediator in the Israel-Hamas negotiations—held lengthy discussions with senior US officials. Qatar continues to play a central role in facilitating indirect dialogue between the warring parties.
Trump, speaking at a cabinet meeting earlier yesterday, confirmed he would be discussing the Gaza issue with Netanyahu, remarking, “We have to get this solved.”
According to US envoy Steve Witkoff, who has been leading the proximity talks in Doha, three out of four major points of contention between the two sides have already been addressed, leading to greater optimism in the White House regarding the chances of reaching a settlement. “Hopefully we will reach an agreement by the end of the week,” he said.
Netanyahu however, urged caution, telling reporters after a separate meeting with House Speaker Mike Johnson, “We need both sides to agree. I hope we will pass the finish line. The less I speak about this publicly the better.”
One of the most significant unresolved issues which is yet to be resolved is the extent of the Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza. While Hamas is demanding a return to positions held before the March ceasefire collapsed, Jerusalem has completely refused. Negotiators have reportedly been exchanging maps to define potential redeployment zones.
Two major sticking points have already seen progress. Humanitarian aid distribution has been agreed to take place via neutral international organisations—not affiliated with Israel or Hamas—in areas vacated by Israeli forces. This arrangement excludes the US- and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which may now need to scale back operations.
Additionally, Hamas had sought U.S. assurances that Israel would not unilaterally resume hostilities once the initial 60-day truce ends.
Reportedly, Trump has told Hamas - via backchannel intermediary Bishara Bahbah - that Washington is prepared to support an extension of the ceasefire if peace negotiations show continued progress.
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