Trump hopes to agree deal with Netanyahu

UNITED States President Donald Trump was yesterday hosting Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for critical talks aimed at ending the war in Gaza and developing a US plan on postwar governance in the Palestinian territory.

- ADAM GELLER Associated Press

The White House talks were taking place at a tenuous moment. Israel is increasingly isolated, losing support from many countries that it could once count on as its steadfast allies.

At home, Mr Netanyahu’s governing coalition appears more fragile than ever, and the White House is showing signs of impatience.

The question now is whether Mr Trump, who has offered steadfast backing to Mr Netanyahu throughout the war in Gaza, will change his tone and turn up the pressure on Israel to wind down the conflict.

As he welcomed Mr Netanyahu to the White House yesterday, Mr Trump responded affirmatively when asked by reporters whether he was confident a deal would be soon reached to end the fighting between Israel and Hamas.