Israel’s efforts to dismantle Hamas and secure the release of hostages topped the agenda during Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, Netanyahu said, as Hamas vowed it would not surrender in Gaza.
The Israeli leader’s visit to Washington his third since Trump returned to office in January coincided with indirect negotiations in Doha aimed at ending 21 months of conflict and securing a hostage release deal.
While the talks, which began on Sunday, have yet to yield an agreement, Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, expressed optimism about the possibility of a ceasefire.
Hamas, whose October 7, 2023, assault on Israel triggered the ongoing war in Gaza, said in a statement that it would never capitulate.
