WASHINGTON/GAZA, July 9 – As the Gaza conflict drags into its 21st month, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the U.S. President Donald Trump have turned their attention toward securing the release of hostages still held by Hamas. During Netanyahu’s visit to Washington this week, both leaders emphasized the importance of freeing those captives while acknowledging the ongoing intensity of Israel’s military campaign in the Palestinian territory.
Their high-profile meeting, the third since Trump returned to the White House in January 20, took place as Israeli airstrikes continued to batter Gaza and ceasefire negotiations gained momentum. Speaking after their discussion, Netanyahu stated that the core of their conversation focused on securing the release of Israeli hostages and addressing the long-term implications of what he described as a significant military victory over Iran, referencing last month’s joint aerial campaign against Iranian nuclear infrastructure.
Despite the push for diplomacy, Netanyahu made it clear that Israel’s military operation in Gaza is far from over. He told reporters that although progress is being made in the ongoing negotiations, Israel remains committed to achieving its broader military objectives — dismantling Hamas’ operational capabilities and recovering all hostages.
Ceasefire Efforts and Hostage Talks
According to Netanyahu, a potential temporary ceasefire may be on the horizon, with diplomatic channels becoming increasingly active. The Prime Minister met with Vice President JD Vance and congressional leaders in addition to his sit-downs with Trump, signaling Israel’s desire for continued American backing in both military and diplomatic realms.
Steve Witkoff, serving as Trump’s envoy to the Middle East, voiced guarded optimism about a potential ceasefire, noting a sharp drop in unresolved issues between Israel and Hamas. Witkoff disclosed that negotiators are now contending with only one remaining obstacle and suggested that a 60-day ceasefire might be announced by the end of the week. This arrangement would reportedly include the release of 10 living hostages and the repatriation of nine others who are deceased.
A delegation from Qatar, which has played a key role in brokering indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas, had met with senior White House officials shortly before Netanyahu’s arrival, reflecting the urgency of ongoing diplomatic efforts.
Still, Netanyahu reiterated that a ceasefire alone would not satisfy Israel’s conditions. He stressed that the military campaign would continue until Hamas is fully dismantled, both in its leadership and combat capabilities within Gaza. “We must complete our mission, secure the release of all hostages, and ensure Hamas can no longer threaten our people,” he said during his meetings on Capitol Hill.
Rising Toll and Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
While leaders deliberate in Washington, the humanitarian toll in Gaza continues to mount. Israeli airstrikes have shown no sign of slowing, particularly in southern areas like Khan Younis, where entire neighborhoods have been flattened. One symbolic image captured the tragedy — a teddy bear resting amid concrete rubble at the site of a recent airstrike.
Umm Mohammed Shaaban, a grieving grandmother in Khan Younis, lost three grandchildren in an overnight attack. Overcome with sorrow, she questioned the timing of any truce. “Why talk about a ceasefire now, after so much has been destroyed?” she asked tearfully.
Elsewhere in Gaza City, residents combed through the remains of homes reduced to dust, searching for survivors with little to no access to rescue equipment. Ahmed al-Nahhal, a local resident, lamented the lack of fuel and support. “We’ve been digging through rubble since midnight, trying to find the children,” he said, surrounded by scenes of heartbreak as families carried the bodies of loved ones in white burial shrouds.
The conflict, which began with a deadly Hamas incursion into southern Israel in October 2023, has exacted a heavy price. That attack claimed the lives of roughly 1,200 people and resulted in the abduction of 251 hostages, based on Israeli government figures. An estimated 50 hostages remain in Gaza, with about 20 thought to be still alive.
In response, Israel launched an extensive military campaign that has, according to Gaza health authorities, resulted in the deaths of more than 57,000 Palestinians. Entire city blocks have been leveled, and the United Nations estimates that most of Gaza’s more than 2 million residents have been displaced. There is an extreme shortage of essential needs such as food, clean water, medical aid, and safe shelter. As of May, humanitarian experts reported that nearly half a million people were on the brink of starvation.
Despite these staggering human losses, both Israeli and Palestinian leaders remain entrenched in their positions. Hamas has repeatedly stated that it will not release the remaining hostages without a complete end to the war, while Israel insists that any pause in fighting must be tied to the release of all captives and the dismantling of the group’s military and political structure.
Amid these developments, Netanyahu also voiced hope for expanding the Abraham Accords, the series of normalization agreements signed in 2020 between Israel and several Arab nations including the UAE, Bahrain, and Morocco. “We are pushing forward with full intensity to broaden the circle of peace,” he wrote on X.