Netanyahu arrives in US as Gaza talks fail to break impasse

No breakthrough in hostage deal and ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas ahead of Israeli prime minister’s meeting with President Trump in Washington.

By World Israel News Staff

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, arrived in Washington, DC late Sunday night local time, ahead of Netanyahu’s planned meeting with President Donald Trump.

Upon his arrival in the U.S., Netanyahu met with Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter, Deputy Ambassador Eliav Benjamin, and Israeli Consul General in New York Ofir Akunis.

Netanyahu is slated to meet with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and White House envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff on Monday, before meeting with President Trump.

The Israeli government’s Boeing 767 aircraft used to transport the prime minister and president on flights abroad, designated the Wing of Zion, touched down at Joint Base Andrews after the Israeli Air Force conducted a series of airstrikes on Houthi positions in Yemen overnight.

The prime minister’s arrival in Washington also came after the latest round of brokered hostage deal and ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas in Doha, Qatar, ended Sunday night with no breakthrough.

The talks began Sunday, after Hamas announced Friday night that it had accepted the general framework of the newest ceasefire proposal, while emphasizing it had “minor amendments” it needed before finalizing a deal.

The proposal includes a 60-day ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the staggered return of 28 Israeli hostages, including 10 living captives and the remains of 18 dead hostages.

On Saturday, Israel announced that it would not accept the amendments demanded by Hamas to the proposal currently under consideration.

“The changes that Hamas is seeking to make in the Qatari proposal were conveyed to us last night and are unacceptable to Israel,” the Prime Minister’s Office said.

Nevertheless, Jerusalem agreed to dispatch a negotiating team to the Qatari capital on Sunday.

President Donald Trump expressed optimism Sunday regarding the prospects for a breakthrough in talks, suggesting a deal could be reached this week.

“I think we are close to a deal on Gaza. We could have it this week. I think that there is a good chance we’ll have a deal with Hamas… during the coming week pertaining to quite a few of the hostages,” Trump told reporters before returning to Washington.