Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet Trump at the White House on July 7, with Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer conducting preparatory talks this week. Trump claims he will be "very firm" about securing a ceasefire and hostage release, stating: "We want to get the hostages out". However, Netanyahu’s agenda extends beyond Gaza: he seeks tariff exemptions on Israeli goods and aims to leverage Trump’s support against his corruption trial. The talks will also address Iran, following joint U.S.-Israel strikes that Trump claims "obliterated" Tehran’s nuclear program.
Israeli forces killed at least 51 Palestinians across Gaza on Monday, including 24 civilians in an airstrike that obliterated the crowded Al-Baqa Café on Gaza City’s seafront. The attack struck during a child’s birthday party, killing journalist Ismail Abu Hatab and multiple families. Survivors described "bodies torn apart" and "earthquake-like" explosions. This surge in violence which also included artillery fire on aid seekers near GHF distribution points occurred despite U.S. President Donald Trump’s public demand to "MAKE THE DEAL IN GAZA".
Hamas insists any deal requires a permanent ceasefire and full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, while Netanyahu demands Hamas’s disarmament and dismantling; conditions Hamas rejects. The Hostages Families Forum criticized Netanyahu for prioritizing "rescue" over negotiated release, warning his wordplay risks lives. Meanwhile, Israel continues bombing campaigns that have killed over 56,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.