Trump, Netanyahu Meet Again as U.S. Pushes for Gaza Ceasefire Deal
Washington ramps up pressure for 60-day truce as Qatar warns more time is needed; talks in Doha enter third day with slow progress.
Watan-U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met for the second time in just 24 hours on Tuesday, as Washington steps up efforts to broker a ceasefire deal in Gaza.
The latest meeting took place at the White House, coinciding with ongoing indirect negotiations in Doha, where Qatar is mediating between Israel and Hamas with support from the U.S. and Egypt. However, Qatari officials said more time is needed to reach an agreement.
Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, expressed optimism that a 60-day ceasefire deal could be reached by the end of the week, including the release of 10 living hostages and 9 deceased ones held by Hamas.“We’ve narrowed the gaps between Hamas and Israel from four core issues down to one,” Witkoff said, adding that the U.S. remains committed to a lasting peace in Gaza.
Netanyahu, Trump Push Gaza Talks as U.S. Eyes 60-Day Truce
After his meeting with Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance, Netanyahu said that discussions focused on the hostage situation, and insisted that military pressure must continue.“We won’t back down for a moment,” Netanyahu said in a video statement from Blair House, calling Israel’s goals in Gaza non-negotiable:
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The release of all hostages (dead or alive)
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The elimination of Hamas’ military and governing capabilities
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Ensuring Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel
While Trump has historically shown unwavering support for Netanyahu—especially during the recent Israel-Iran war—he is now also focused on ending what he called the “hell” in Gaza.
In Doha, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari cautioned that the indirect talks remain complex:“I can’t give a timeframe at this point, but I can say it will take time.”
.@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
A new proposal, reportedly based on Witkoff’s plan, was recently presented to both parties. But according to a Palestinian official familiar with the talks, no breakthrough has been achieved yet.
Nonetheless, the Doha negotiations, which began Sunday evening, are ongoing, with U.S. and Qatari officials expressing guarded optimism.
Trump has reiterated his personal commitment to resolving the war in Gaza:“It’s a tragedy. Netanyahu wants to solve it, I want to solve it, and I believe the other side wants it too.”
This renewed U.S. push comes amid rising domestic and international pressure to halt the Israeli campaign in Gaza, which has led to widespread civilian destruction, displacement, and growing criticism—even from within Israeli society.
