United States president Donald Trump on Monday hosted Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House and claimed that the talks to end the war in Gaza have been "going along very well," This is Netanyahu’s third visit to the states since Trump became president.
The Israeli leader also claimed to have nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize. "He's forging peace as we speak, in one country, in one region after the other," Netanyahu said.
"I don't think there is a hold up. I think things are going along very well," Trump told reporters at the start of the dinner, AFP reported. He also asserted that Hamas was willing to end the 21-month conflict. "They want to meet and they want to have that ceasefire," he said.
The meeting was held as Israel and Hamas conducted the second day of indirect talks in Qatar.
Both the leaders were asked about potential plans to relocate Palestinians. Netanyahu said that he was working with the US to allow Palestinians to have a better future. "If people want to stay, they can stay, but if they want to leave, they should be able to leave," Netanyahu said.
Netanyahu ruled out a full Palestinian state and said that Israel will always keep control over the Gaza strip. “Now, people will say it's not a complete state, it's not a state. We don't care," he said.
Trump had earlier claimed that Israel had agreed to the “necessary conditions” to finalise a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza. He released a statement on his Truth Social platform stating that "Israel has agreed to the necessary conditions to finalize the 60 Day CEASEFIRE, during which time we will work with all parties to end the War.”
Netanyahu Nominates Trump for Nobel Peace Prize
Netanyahu handed a copy of the nomination letter to Trump that he sent to the prize committee during the dinner hosted at White House.
Netanyahu told Trump, "The President has already realised great opportunities. He forged the Abraham Accords. He's forging peace as we speak in one country, in one region after the other. So, I want to present to you, Mr. President, the letter I sent to the Nobel Prize Committee. It's nominating you for the Peace Prize, which is well deserved, and you should get it."
Further, praising Trump's effort to bring 'peace' in the Middle East, he said, "I want to express the appreciation and admiration not only of all Israelis, but of the Jewish people and many, many admirers around the world, for your leadership, your leadership of the free world, your leadership of a just cause, and the pursuit of peace and security which you are leading in many lands, but now especially in the Middle East. President has an extraordinary team, and I think our teams together make an extraordinary combination to meet challenges and seize opportunities."
Trump, surprised by the nomination thanked Netanyahu and said, "This I did not know. Wow, thank you very much. Coming from you in particular, this is very meaningful."
