Netanyahu at White House today

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in Washington, D.C., on Sunday

He checked into Blair House, the official guest residence for visiting dignitaries. This marks his 14th stay there, the most by any foreign leader.

This will be Trump’s first meeting with a foreign leader since resuming office.

Their discussions are expected to focus on the current ceasefire with Hamas, strategies to counter Iran and efforts to expand diplomatic relations with Arab nations, including potential normalization with Saudi Arabia.

Negotiations are set to begin this week on a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza following a six-week pause in fighting and the release of at least 38 hostages. The current agreement began on Jan. 19; 18 hostages have been released so far in four exchanges for Palestinian prisoners. [The Forward]

Tentative schedule…

• Monday: Netanyahu is expected to meet with Steve Witkoff, Trump’s Mideast envoy, to discuss the forthcoming second phase of the hostage-for-ceasefire deal. The two also met last week in Israel. (Haaretz)
• Tuesday: Trump and Netanyahu are set to meet at 6 p.m., followed by a late dinner at 9 p.m. They might also hold a press conference with families of the hostages. (Times of Israel)
• Wednesday: Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Congressional leaders are set to meet with Netanyahu. (Times of Israel)

More on the war…
• Trump invited Jord
an’s King Abdullah II to the White House later this month, their first meeting since Trump suggested Egypt and Jordan take in Palestinian refugees from Gaza. (Times of Israel)
• Jordan joined the other 21 members of the Arab League on Saturday in denouncing the idea. (AP, Times of Israel)