Netanyahu arrives in Washington for talks with Trump

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is visiting Washington, will be the first foreign leader to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump. This was reported by The Washington Post (WP) on February 4.

It is reported that the Prime Minister sees this not only as a badge of honor, but also as evidence of close relations with the US, especially in the context of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

"Israeli military operations have already redrawn the map. But I believe that by working closely with President Trump, we can redraw it even more and for the better," the newspaper quoted Netanyahu as saying on the eve of the trip.

The Israeli prime minister's visit to the United States is to take place in the format of "a series of business talks" during which he will discuss with top US officials the ceasefire in Gaza, as well as a number of other regional conflicts that Trump would like to "resolve or mitigate," WP notes.

At the same time, the American leader himself cannot yet give precise answers and guarantees in this regard, the newspaper points out.

"I have no guarantees that peace will continue," Trump said, referring to the truce in the Gaza Strip.

Vague alternatives: in Palestine, a plan for the reconstruction of Gaza has been drawn up

However, Israel is blocking attempts by the NPA authorities to return to the exclave

Earlier, on February 3, Arab League (LAS) Secretary General Ahmed Abu al-Gheit described Israel's goal as making the Gaza Strip uninhabitable. He added that the LAS is in favor of providing aid to Palestine and starting preparations for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip.

On January 30, Trump's special envoy for the Middle East, Steven Whitkoff, said that Gaza is "uninhabitable" and its reconstruction will take 10-15 years.

The ceasefire regime in the Gaza Strip began in the morning of January 19. At the same time, the Palestinian movement Hamas handed over three Israeli hostages - Romy Gonen, Emily Damari and Doron Steinbrecher - to representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross. The next day, Israel released the first 90 Palestinian prisoners as part of the deal. The hostage exchange continues.

The situation in the Middle East escalated on the morning of October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a massive rocket attack from the Gaza Strip into Israel. Israel began retaliatory strikes the same day.