Trump meets Netanyahu for a second time amid cautious hope for a Gaza ceasefire

Tel Aviv — President Trump met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the second time in two days on Tuesday on the White Home. They mentioned efforts to succeed in a ceasefire settlement between Israel and Hamas in Gaza and, Netanyahu burdened, to safe the discharge of the 50 Israeli hostages nonetheless regarded as held within the decimated Palestinian territory — 20 of whom the Israeli chief not too long ago stated have been nonetheless alive.

Netanyahu, in a video message shared on social media after his second assembly with Mr. Trump, stated Israel wouldn’t relent in its mission to “obtain all of our objectives,” which he stated embody “the elimination of Hamas’s army and governing capabilities, thereby making certain that Gaza will now not pose a menace to Israel.”

Delegations from Israel and Hamas, which has lengthy been designated a terrorist group by Israel and the U.S., are in Qatar negotiating over the exact phrases of a possible deal. However whereas the talks proceed, so does the struggle.

Officers on the Nasser Hospital, within the southern Gaza metropolis of Khan Younis, stated Wednesday that 40 folks have been killed in recent Israeli airstrikes, together with 17 girls and 10 kids. The Israeli army, which has lengthy accused Hamas of hiding weapons and militants in and beneath civilian infrastructure, stated it struck greater than 100 terrorist targets in Gaza over the previous day.

President Trump described the struggle in Gaza this week as a tragedy that he “desires to get solved.” For Gaza’s hungry, displaced inhabitants of greater than 2 million folks, a ceasefire cannot come quickly sufficient.

The proposal presently on the desk ought to, if the small print might be hammered out, allow an instantaneous surge of meals, drugs and different emergency provides into Gaza to alleviate the acute distress and desperation attributable to 21 months of struggle.

It could additionally finish the relentless army strikes — which the Israel Protection Forces insist solely goal Hamas, however which have killed 1000’s of civilians, too, lots of them girls and youngsters. In response to the Hamas-run Gaza Ministry of Well being, which doesn’t distinguish between civilians and combatants in its figures, practically 60,000 folks have been killed within the slim coastal enclave through the struggle.

Many Israelis additionally lengthy for a ceasefire. On Tuesday, funerals have been held for 5 younger troopers killed in an explosion in Gaza.

The continued combating, and the continued captivity of fifty Israelis, is prolonging a nationwide trauma that started with the Hamas-orchestrated terrorist assault on Oct. 7, 2023, which noticed some 1,200 folks murdered and 251 others taken hostage.

One of many Israelis nonetheless believed to be held alive in Gaza is Evyatar David, who was final seen in February when Hamas made him and fellow captive Man Dallal watch as different hostages have been launched throughout a brief truce.

David’s brother Ilay instructed CBS Information the household prays he will probably be subsequent, however they’re too afraid to hope.

Ilay stated the household always brace themselves for disappointment.

“We type of realized the way to defend our souls,” he stated. “And it is not solely us, it is our nation, which is torn aside.”

The proposed resolution presently on the desk, in accordance with an official accustomed to the negotiations, would deliver a 60-day ceasefire, throughout which period Hamas would hand over a few of the remaining Israeli hostages, and Israel’s army would halt its offensive and pull again forces from some areas in Gaza.

In an indication that the negotiators could also be near a deal, Mr. Trump’s particular envoy Steve Witkoff is anticipated to return to Qatar this week.

Tucker Reals

contributed to this report.