Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to meet President Donald Trump at the White House on February 4, according to statements from both governments on Tuesday.
The meeting will occur amid a fragile six-week ceasefire, which has temporarily paused the ongoing 15-month conflict between Israel and the militant group Hamas in Gaza.
On Monday, Trump spoke to reporters aboard Air Force One, expressing his desire for Egypt to accept Palestinians from Gaza, where many have been displaced due to Israel’s military actions.
“I wish he would take some. We help them a lot, and I’m sure he can help us,” Trump said, referring to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who he called a “friend.” He added, “I’d like to get them living in an area where they can live without disruption and revolution and violence.”
Over the weekend, Trump suggested that Egypt and Jordan should take in Palestinians from Gaza, though the two countries, along with other Arab states, oppose such a move, as they believe it conflicts with Palestinians’ desire for Gaza to be part of a future Palestinian state.
The Gaza war began with Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, in which militants killed 1,200 Israelis and took about 250 hostages, according to Israeli sources. Israel’s subsequent military actions have resulted in the deaths of approximately 47,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s health ministry, and have led to accusations of genocide and war crimes, which Israel denies.
As part of the ceasefire agreed upon earlier this month, the first six weeks will involve the release of 33 hostages and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners from Israel. Displaced Palestinians have started returning to their homes in Gaza City, only to find their city in ruins after the prolonged conflict.
