Netanyahu confirms trip to Washington as President Trump says Gaza deal close

Jerusalem [Israel], July 2: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed on Tuesday that he expects to travel to Washington next week for meetings with US President Donald Trump and other top officials.
According to his office, Netanyahu announced at the start of a Cabinet meeting that he would meet with Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff.
Netanyahu did not elaborate on the purpose of the talks with Israel's most important ally.
However, following the June 24 ceasefire that ended the 12-day war between Israel and Iran, Trump is now pushing for a halt to the 20 months of fighting between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
Trump said on Friday he believes a Gaza ceasefire deal is possible "within the next week."
Israeli media had already reported on Netanyahu's planned trip, citing unnamed sources.
Netanyahu has so far visited Trump in the US twice since the start of his second term in January. (DPA)
Source: Qatar Tribune