Trump Invites Netanyahu Feb. 4 for 1st Foreign Leader Visit in Second Term/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will visit the White House on Feb. 4, becoming the first foreign leader to meet President Donald Trump during his second term. The visit coincides with ongoing U.S.-brokered efforts to maintain a fragile ceasefire in Gaza, where displaced Palestinians are returning to the north amid destroyed neighborhoods and the release of hostages continues.
Netanyahu’s White House Visit: Quick Looks
- Date: Netanyahu will meet Trump in Washington on Feb. 4, marking the first foreign leader visit of Trump’s second term.
- Ceasefire Context: The visit follows U.S. pressure on Israel and Hamas to uphold a fragile six-week ceasefire.
- Palestinian Return: Over 375,000 displaced Palestinians have returned to northern Gaza since Monday.
- Hostage Exchange: Additional hostages and prisoners are scheduled for release on Thursday and Saturday.
- Humanitarian Aid: More than 4,200 aid trucks have entered Gaza under the ceasefire agreement.
Trump Invites Netanyahu Feb. 4 for 1st Foreign Leader Visit in 2nd Term
Deep Look
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to meet with President Donald Trump at the White House on Feb. 4, a visit highlighting the close U.S.-Israel relationship and coinciding with efforts to stabilize a ceasefire in Gaza. This meeting will mark the first foreign leader visit of Trump’s second term.
Ceasefire Progress in Gaza
The ceasefire, now in its second week, follows a devastating 15-month war between Israel and Hamas. Over 375,000 Palestinians have returned to northern Gaza, according to the United Nations, representing more than one-third of the million people who fled south at the war’s outset.
Scenes of destruction greeted returning families, with many preparing to rebuild or shelter in damaged homes.
- Fayza al-Nahal: “It’s still better for us to be on our land than to live on a land that’s not yours,” she said as she prepared to leave Khan Younis for northern Gaza.
- Hani Al-Shanti: Returning to Gaza City, he remarked, “Even if it is a roof and walls without furniture, even if it is without a roof.”
The ceasefire also includes scheduled exchanges of hostages held in Gaza and Palestinian prisoners in Israeli custody. Eight of the 33 Israeli hostages expected to be released have been confirmed dead, bringing grief to Israeli families advocating for their safe return.
Hostage Accounts
Naama Levy, a 20-year-old soldier recently released under the ceasefire, shared her experience of captivity. After spending 50 days in isolation, she was reunited with fellow soldiers and civilian hostages.
“They gave me strength and hope,” Levy wrote on social media, adding, “We strengthened each other until the day of our release, and also afterwards.”
Humanitarian Aid Flows Into Gaza
The ceasefire has allowed a surge of humanitarian aid into Gaza. Over 4,200 aid trucks have entered the territory in the past week alone, including food, medical supplies, and essential resources. Israel’s deputy foreign minister, Sharren Haskel, confirmed that 600 aid trucks are expected to cross daily under the agreement.
Implications of Netanyahu’s Visit
Netanyahu’s visit to Washington underscores the strategic importance of U.S.-Israel relations and the ongoing U.S. involvement in mediating the Gaza ceasefire. The meeting will likely focus on stabilizing the region, continued humanitarian aid, and future strategies to prevent further escalation.
As the ceasefire holds, both leaders will face scrutiny over their handling of the conflict and the long-term solutions needed to address the humanitarian and political crises in Gaza.
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