At the White House on Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met in a focused session to discuss the escalating crisis in Gaza. The talks centered on the urgent issue of hostages held in the region, and they come at a time of renewed military actions.
After a nearly two-month ceasefire that started on January 19, Israel resumed large-scale air and ground operations on March 18. Israeli officials stated these measures were taken as Hamas refused to release hostages. Meanwhile, Hamas accused Israel of deliberately breaking the ceasefire and intensifying the conflict.
During a brief Oval Office session open to reporters, President Trump declared the safe release of the hostages a "top priority." He expressed optimism by stating, "We're making progress. I believe we'll see all the hostages home soon." Prime Minister Netanyahu echoed this sentiment, emphasizing Israel's commitment to securing the hostages' freedom.
At the same time, Egypt, France, and Jordan have jointly called for a complete ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. These nations stressed that governance of the territory should fall solely under an empowered Palestinian Authority, underscoring the need for a diplomatic resolution to reduce violence and stabilize the region.
Although a planned joint press conference was canceled, reporters had the opportunity to ask questions during this informal session. Both leaders highlighted the importance of curbing violence while the international community watches closely, hoping for breakthroughs that could pave the way for long-lasting peace.
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U.S., Israel discuss Gaza as France, Egypt, Jordan push for ceasefire
cgtn.com
