Washington, D.C. | Date: July 7, 2025– Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to meet U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday in Washington, as indirect negotiations intensify in Doha between Israel and Hamas to finalize a potential Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal. The talks aim to secure the release of hostages from Gaza in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli custody.
President Trump expressed optimism over the developing situation. Speaking to journalists on Sunday, he said there was a “good chance” that a Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal could be finalized within the week. “We’ve gotten a lot of the hostages out, but pertaining to the remaining hostages, quite a few of them will be coming out,” Trump stated, highlighting the critical nature of the ongoing discussions.
Netanyahu Heads to Washington for High-Stakes Meeting
Before boarding his flight to the United States on Sunday, Prime Minister Netanyahu emphasized the significance of his meeting with Trump. He indicated that this face-to-face dialogue could “definitely help advance” the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal.
Netanyahu confirmed that he had dispatched Israel’s negotiating team to Doha with firm instructions. “I have given clear instructions to our delegation to reach an agreement under the conditions we have agreed to,” he stated. This reflects Israel’s readiness to engage constructively, while still upholding its red lines.
Meanwhile, Israeli President Isaac Herzog lent his support, calling Netanyahu’s visit to Washington an “important mission.” Herzog said the primary goal remains to “advance a deal to bring all our hostages home.”
Doha Talks Focus on Hostage Release, Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Deal
In Doha, indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas resumed on Sunday evening. These talks, facilitated by Qatari and Egyptian mediators, are focused on finalizing a ceasefire and arranging a hostage-prisoner exchange. Two Palestinian sources close to the talks revealed that the proposed Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal includes a 60-day truce period.
During this time, Hamas is expected to release 10 living hostages and several bodies. In return, Israel would release an undisclosed number of Palestinian detainees. However, the negotiations remain delicate. Hamas has reportedly demanded assurances regarding Israel’s military withdrawal, the prevention of renewed hostilities during negotiations, and the re-establishment of the UN-led humanitarian aid system.
Previously, Netanyahu had labeled Hamas’s response to a U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal as “unacceptable.” That proposal had been conveyed through Qatari and Egyptian channels. Nevertheless, with high-level diplomatic efforts underway in Washington, there is growing hope that the current initiative might lead to a more acceptable framework for both parties.
Hostage Situation Still Dire
According to the Israeli military, of the 251 hostages taken by Hamas during the October 2023 attacks, 49 remain in Gaza. Alarmingly, 27 of those are believed to be dead. Despite past temporary halts in fighting brokered by mediators, the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate. The previous two ceasefires resulted in the release of some hostages and a limited number of Palestinian prisoners. However, a long-term solution remains elusive.
President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu are scheduled to meet at 6:30 p.m. local time on Monday (3:30 a.m. PKT). Notably, the meeting will occur behind closed doors without the usual presence of journalists, underscoring the sensitive nature of the discussions.
As the world watches these developments closely, the focus remains firmly on finalizing a durable Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal that can lead to the safe return of hostages, the release of prisoners, and a de-escalation of violence in the region. With mounting international pressure and the backing of key mediators, there is cautious optimism that a breakthrough may finally be within reach.
