While Israel continues its relentless assault on the besieged Gaza Strip, the Palestinian armed resistance group Hamas has also launched its strongest attack on Israel in recent months. Despite the brutal and indiscriminate Israeli attacks, Hamas has mounted significant counteroffensives.
Amid these developments, a global general strike has been called in protest of the Israeli genocide in Gaza. Against this backdrop, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rushed to the United States to meet with former U.S. President Donald Trump.
According to a report by Turkish news agency Anadolu on Monday (April 7), Israeli media reported that Netanyahu traveled from Hungary to the United States on Sunday to meet with Trump and U.S. Special Envoy for Middle East Affairs, Steve Witkoff.
The Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth stated that Netanyahu is scheduled to meet with Trump at the White House on Monday. The report hinted that Witkoff’s presence could mean discussions will include the issue of releasing Israeli hostages, following Hamas’s demand for a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces and an end to the war.
The newspaper also mentioned that Netanyahu and Trump are expected to discuss Iran’s nuclear program and the situation in Syria.
Additionally, the Israeli Prime Minister will meet with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who oversees Trump’s tariff policies. Following the recent imposition of a 17% tariff on Israel due to a significant trade deficit, Netanyahu is expected to discuss this matter in the meeting.
In a separate report, The Times of Israel confirmed that Netanyahu arrived in Washington, D.C., on Sunday night. Over the next two days, he is scheduled to hold a series of hurried meetings with Trump and senior U.S. officials.
The discussions will primarily focus on the ongoing war in Gaza and the hostages still held there—59 individuals remain in captivity. Talks will also cover Trump’s newly proposed tariff policies. Netanyahu departed Budapest for Washington less than 24 hours after announcing the visit.
Although the trip was initially scheduled to end on Tuesday, Israeli broadcaster Channel 12 reported that it may be extended. Sources say the visit was planned after a recent trilateral conversation between Netanyahu, Trump, and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
According to The Times of Israel, Netanyahu headed straight to Blair House with his wife Sara after landing in Washington, where he was scheduled to meet Commerce Secretary Lutnick.
Anadolu noted that Netanyahu’s visit to the U.S.—Israel’s strongest ally—comes at a time when Tel Aviv is intensifying its deadly offensive in Gaza. Since October 2023, indiscriminate Israeli attacks have killed nearly 50,700 people in the besieged territory.
Last weekend, Netanyahu vowed to escalate the assault on Gaza. Efforts are also underway to implement Trump’s plan to displace Palestinians from the enclave.
Previously, in November last year, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its aggression in the besieged territory.