Trump is scheduled to meet with Netanyahu at the White House.

 The Israeli Prime Minister is the first international leader to meet with Trump since the start of his second term.

President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu walk along the colonnade at the White House on Jan. 27, 2020.

Feb. 4, 2025, 4:00 PM GMT+6

Former President Donald Trump is set to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday, marking the first visit by a foreign leader since Trump began his second term.

Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Trump described the upcoming White House meeting as a "very big meeting." In his invitation to Netanyahu last week, he stated, “I look forward to discussing how we can bring peace to Israel and its neighbors, and efforts to counter our shared adversaries.”

Netanyahu emphasized that their discussion will cover key issues, including "defeating Hamas, securing the release of all hostages, and addressing the Iranian axis in all its forms, which threatens Israel, the Middle East, and the entire world."

Trump’s transition team previously assisted the Biden administration in brokering a ceasefire and hostage-release agreement between Israel and Hamas. The next steps in that agreement are expected to be on the agenda. The conflict erupted on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a terrorist attack on Israel, resulting in 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages. Israel responded with an air and ground offensive in Gaza, which, according to local officials, has resulted in more than 47,000 casualties and mass displacement.

The Israeli military’s actions have drawn international criticism, but Netanyahu has defended them. En route to Washington, he asserted that "the decisions we have made during the war, combined with the heroism of the IDF soldiers, have already transformed the Middle East. I believe that, by working together with President Trump, we can bring even greater positive change."

Trump has previously expressed support for Jordan and Egypt accepting more Palestinian refugees as part of efforts to “clean out” Gaza.

Netanyahu and Trump maintained a close alliance during Trump's first term, though their relationship briefly soured after Netanyahu acknowledged Joe Biden's 2020 election victory while Trump was still contesting the results. Following the October 7 attack, Trump criticized Netanyahu’s past actions but later reaffirmed his support for Israel and Netanyahu on social media.

Their ties appeared to be restored when Netanyahu visited Trump in Florida last July after meeting with President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.

Netanyahu emphasized the significance of their upcoming meeting, stating that being the first foreign leader to visit Trump since his inauguration "testifies to the strength of the alliance between Israel and the United States."

This is far from Netanyahu’s first visit to the White House. Upon his arrival at Blair House, the White House’s official guest residence, officials noted it was his 14th visit—more than any other foreign leader since the residence was established in the 19th century.