Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived at the White House on Monday for a pivotal meeting with US President Donald Trump. The visit follows days of intense consultations between Netanyahu and Trump's closest advisers since the Israeli leader landed in New York last Thursday, during which major gaps between Israel and the administration were significantly narrowed on core issues of the American plan to end the war, according to a source familiar with the talks.
During the visit, Netanyahu and Trump are scheduled to meet in the Oval Office, hold an expanded session with their teams, and share a working lunch. The two leaders will then address the press at a joint news conference in the State Dining Room.
As he welcomed Netanyahu to the White House, Trump told reporters he was "very confident" when asked if a deal was within reach.
During the meeting, Netanyahu spoke with the Qatari prime minister and apologized for the violation of the country's sovereignty in the strike on Doha, which killed a Qatari security officer.
The apology had been a condition set by Doha for resuming its mediation with the Hamas terrorist organization. The fact that Netanyahu had issued an apology was first reported by journalist Barak Ravid.
