Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Donald Trump convened an unexpected second meeting in the Oval Office on Wednesday a day after their first one (as part of the Israeli leader's third visit in six months to the White House) engaging in private talks for an hour and a half – shielded from media scrutiny.
Statement by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu:
"I held an additional meeting today with @POTUS @realDonaldTrump in the White House, and afterwards, a brief meeting with @VP Vance.
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) July 9, 2025
Vice President JD Vance joined the deliberations. Netanyahu departed the White House without immediate public remarks from either Israel or the US.
According to a statement on X made by Netanyahu several hours later, the 90-minute Oval Office meeting, the 2nd in as many days, focused on the "the efforts to release our hostages," with Netanyahu saying Israel "not relenting, even for a moment." PM thanks president for "the determined action he took and for the joint effort that we are making today to bring a great future to the Middle East and to the State of Israel."
Netanyahu said in his statement that the efforts to release the captives were aided by "the military pressure by our heroic soldiers." He added, "Unfortunately, this effort has exacted a painful price from us, the loss of the best of our sons, but we are determined to achieve all of our objectives: The release of all of our hostages – the living and the deceased, and the elimination of Hamas's military and governing capabilities, thereby ensuring that Gaza will never again constitute a threat to Israel."
Netanyahu went on to say that the two leaders also discussed the new Middle East dynamics following the successful Israeli strikes on Iran in June that targeted its main nuclear facilities, which was complemented by Trump ordering a strike on the fortified uranium enrichment site in Fordo using B-2 bombers and "bunker-busting munitions."
Netanyahu said the two "discussed the implications and possibilities of the great victory that we achieved over Iran. Opportunities have been opened here for expanding the circle of peace, for expanding the Abraham Accords. We are working on this with full vigor." In recent weeks there has been persistent speculation that Syria and Saudi Arabia could choose to join the 2020 peace framework, which saw four Arab states agree to normalize relations with Jerusalem. Israel has confirmed that it was in contact with Syria's new ruler Ahmed al-Sharaa.
Netanyahu concluded his statement by thanking Trump for his great contribution to Israel's security. "I also conveyed to President Trump your appreciation, citizens of Israel, for supporting us, for the determined action he took and for the joint effort that we are making today to bring a great future to the Middle East and to the State of Israel."
The meeting lasted 90 minutes and covered Iran and Gaza. Part of the talks were one-on-one, while Vance joined for the remainder.
Regarding Iran, the two leaders were expected to discuss measures both nations would take to ensure Iran does not resume its nuclear program. A senior diplomatic official stated on Monday that the US and Israel aim to prevent Iran from rebuilding a ballistic missile arsenal capable of threatening Israel and the world. The second key topic was Gaza, with the leaders focusing on the region's future after the war and steps to end the fighting.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has concluded his second meeting with US President @realDonaldTrump. pic.twitter.com/1zhXEACW8e
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) July 8, 2025
Simultaneously, Al-Hadath disclosed that a Qatari delegation held extended discussions with US envoy Steve Witkoff in Washington prior to the Netanyahu-Trump session. Sources informed Asharq Al-Awsat that Witkoff planned to visit Qatar on Wednesday evening to push for progress on a Gaza deal.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu looks on during a dinner with US President Donald Trump, in the Blue Room of the White House in Washington, July 7, 2025 (EPA/AL DRAGO)
In Tuesday's meeting, Netanyahu gifted Trump a mezuzah crafted in the form of a US B-2 bomber, a tribute to the American attack on Iran's Fordo nuclear site. He also presented a letter recommending Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize.
On Tuesday morning, Netanyahu and Trump shared a two-hour dinner at the White House, joined by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and Netanyahu's delegation, including his wife, Sara. This marked their third encounter in less than six months. Earlier, Netanyahu held a 30-minute meeting with House Speaker Mike Johnson at the Capitol.
Before his second Trump meeting, Netanyahu spoke to the press at the US Congress, addressing the Doha talks and the loss of five IDF soldiers in Gaza. He noted the 50 hostages still in captivity, saying, "20 of the hostages remaining in captivity are alive, perhaps one or two more."
Witkoff stated, "We're nearing an agreement. Four issues divided us; now only one remains. I hope we finalize a deal by the weekend." The primary sticking point is the IDF's positioning during the ceasefire.
