Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to depart for Washington on Saturday night or Sunday for a high-stakes visit following the 12-Day War with Iran. The trip, described by Netanyahu as opening "a great many historic opportunities," comes amid mounting pressure to secure a hostage release deal and bring an end to the ongoing war in Gaza.
On Tuesday morning, families of Israeli hostages gathered outside the Prime Minister’s Office, urging Netanyahu to prioritize a deal—even if it means ending the war. Some families are also considering traveling to Washington to press their case during Netanyahu's visit.
Progress in Hostage Talks, but No Delegation Yet
Sources familiar with negotiations say there has been some movement in hostage deal talks, with both Israel and Hamas showing new willingness to move forward—despite the lack of a formal ceasefire agreement. While gaps remain, they have narrowed significantly, creating what Israeli officials describe as a "window of opportunity."
Despite the momentum, an Israeli official confirmed that no decision has yet been made to dispatch a delegation to Cairo or Doha. “When the conditions are ripe, preparations can be made very quickly,” the source said. The inclusion of hostage family members in Netanyahu’s delegation is also still under consideration.
Trump Signals Optimism: “Deal Next Week”
President Donald Trump has repeatedly voiced optimism about a breakthrough, saying a ceasefire and hostage deal could be finalized as early as next week. Speaking ahead of a press conference with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Trump described the recent military strike on Iran as “complete and utter annihilation,” and hinted at a celebratory meeting with Israeli officials in either Florida or the White House.
“I’ll be very firm with Netanyahu about ending the war in Gaza. But he wants that too,” Trump said
Netanyahu's Legal Calendar May Be Driving Trip Timing
Netanyahu reportedly pushed to advance the trip by several weeks. One possible reason is his ongoing corruption trial: court hearings scheduled for this week were canceled, and Netanyahu has requested postponements into next week as well. A visit to Washington could delay proceedings further and buy time until the Knesset's summer recess, which begins July 27.
The timing also provides a political buffer. During the recess, coalition threats—such as the Haredi parties’ demand for draft exemptions and right-wing ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich’s opposition to a ceasefire—are less likely to materialize.
U.S. Presses Netanyahu on “Day After” Gaza and Iran
The Biden administration is preparing post-war plans for Gaza, which include Arab participation in governing the Strip. Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer is already in Washington coordinating with top U.S. officials, including Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who also serves as National Security Advisor.
Netanyahu is expected to meet with:
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President Donald Trump
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Vice President J.D. Vance
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Secretary of State/National Security Advisor Marco Rubio
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Secretary of Defense Pete Hasegawa
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Middle East Representative Steve Witkoff
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Secretary of Commerce
Netanyahu Pushes for Hostage Deal
During a cabinet meeting, Netanyahu stressed urgency in securing a hostage deal and asked the U.S. to apply “hammers,” in his words, on Qatar to pressure Hamas. Shas party leader Aryeh Deri echoed the sentiment, warning that recent gains against Iran should not be eroded.
Israel’s Operation “Gideon’s Chariots” in Gaza has reached a point of exhaustion, with military leadership cautioning that a full occupation could endanger the hostages' lives. This further increases pressure on Netanyahu to act now.
Abraham Accords Expansion
Another key topic during the Washington visit will be the expansion of the Abraham Accords. However, U.S. and regional officials agree that no progress can be made without a ceasefire in Gaza and a credible path toward a future Palestinian state. In parallel, Israel is reportedly engaged in early-stage discussions with Syria, supported by the U.S., about potential normalization.
A Delicate Balancing Act
Netanyahu approaches his Washington meetings with caution. Trump is known to be unpredictable and increasingly frustrated with the drawn-out conflict in Gaza. The success of the visit—and possibly Netanyahu’s future political survival—may hinge on how willing he is to align with Trump’s timeline for a ceasefire and a post-war vision for Gaza.
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