Trump and Netanyahu Pursue Final Gaza Deal Amid Ongoing War
US-Israeli Talks Intensify as Mediators Report Narrowing Gaps Between Hamas and Israel
Watan-US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he would meet again later in the day with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the situation in Gaza.
Trump described the situation in Gaza as tragic and confirmed that he would discuss the Gaza file with Netanyahu, pledging to work toward a “final resolution” of the Gaza dispute.
In the same context, US envoy Steve Witkoff stated that negotiations were ongoing “to bridge the gap” between Hamas and Israel. He expressed hope that an agreement regarding Gaza could be reached by the end of the current week.
Witkoff added:“We are working to reduce the differences in the Gaza negotiations, and this is happening over time. The number of contentious issues between Hamas and Israel has been reduced from four to one.”
He affirmed that the United States seeks “a lasting peace in Gaza and a genuine resolution to the dispute.”
For his part, the Israeli Prime Minister announced on Tuesday evening that he and President Trump both believe in what he called the “peace through strength” doctrine, and that they would meet again that night.
Netanyahu made his remarks during an address to the US Congress as part of his current visit to Washington, according to Hebrew media outlets.
Netanyahu said:“We are working on a deal concerning the Gaza Strip, and I hope we can reach it soon.”
Meanwhile, Israel continues its war on Gaza alongside indirect negotiations in Qatar between Tel Aviv and Hamas, in an attempt to reach a prisoner exchange and ceasefire agreement.
.@SEPeaceMissions Steve Witkoff: “We’re in proximity talks now … we are hopeful that by the end of this week, we will have an agreement that will bring us into a 60-day ceasefire. Ten live hostages will be released … we think that this will lead to a lasting peace in Gaza.” pic.twitter.com/AO1SISGvuE
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) July 8, 2025
Netanyahu added — according to Channel 14:“Israel has agreed to the mediators’ proposal (for a suggested deal).”
He described the proposal as “good and consistent with US envoy Steve Witkoff’s original offer,” and added:“The less we talk about it publicly, the better.”
He concluded:“We are ready to end the war on the condition that Hamas no longer poses what we consider a threat to Israel.”
