Netanyahu Arrives in US for Talks with Trump on Gaza Ceasefire and Middle East Strategy

Israeli PM’s Visit Marks First Foreign Leader Meeting with Trump in His Second Term

Maryland [US], February 4: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in the United States on Sunday for a high-stakes meeting with US President Donald Trump, with discussions expected to center on the Gaza ceasefire agreement and broader Middle East strategic plans, according to Al Jazeera.

Netanyahu landed at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland, where Israeli flags were seen across the city in anticipation of his visit. This trip marks the first foreign leader meeting under Trump’s second term, underlining the significance of US-Israel relations.

Israel’s Ambassador Confirms Netanyahu’s Arrival

Israel’s Ambassador to the US, Yechiel (Michael) Leiter, confirmed Netanyahu’s arrival, stating that the visit reaffirms the strength of the US-Israel alliance.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Leiter wrote:
“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has arrived in Washington for a historic visit, the first foreign leader invited to the White House during President Trump’s second term. The U.S.-Israel friendship is strong and is getting stronger.”

Netanyahu: US-Israel Alliance is Stronger Than Ever

Before his departure for Washington, Netanyahu emphasized the importance of his meeting with Trump and the deep Israel-US alliance.

“I’m leaving for a very important meeting with President Trump in Washington. The fact that this would be President Trump’s first meeting with a foreign leader since his inauguration is telling. I think it’s a testimony to the strength of the Israeli-American alliance. It’s also a testimony to the strength of our personal friendship,” Netanyahu stated.

The Israeli PM outlined the key topics for discussion:

• Defeating Hamas and securing Israeli hostages’ release.
• Countering Iran and its regional terror networks.
• Redrawing the strategic landscape of the Middle East in cooperation with the US.

“The decisions we made in the war have already changed the face of the Middle East. Our decisions and the courage of our soldiers have redrawn the map. But I believe that working closely with President Trump, we can redraw it even further and for the better,” Netanyahu added.

Meeting with US Envoy and Key Officials

According to Al Jazeera, Netanyahu is scheduled to meet on Monday (US local time) with Steve Witkoff, the newly appointed US Envoy on the Middle East in the Trump administration.

Witkoff has been widely credited with brokering the January Gaza ceasefire deal, making his role pivotal in ongoing negotiations.

Later in the visit, Netanyahu is expected to meet with:

• US President Donald Trump for in-depth discussions on Gaza, Iran, and security cooperation.
• US military leaders to discuss defense strategies.
• Members of Congress to strengthen legislative ties.

The high-level diplomatic engagements over the next few days are expected to shape Israel-US relations and influence the broader Middle East peace and security framework.