Hostages and Iranian nuclear threat said to be high on the agenda for PM’s sudden DC trip

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s hurriedly arranged trip to see President Donald Trump in Washington on Monday was scheduled in part amid concerns regarding the war against Hamas in Gaza and the collapse of the hostage-ceasefire deal, and for consultations regarding Iran, Channel 12 reports.

It says Netanyahu will indeed discuss Trump’s new trade tariffs, and attempt to reverse the 17% tariff imposed on Israeli goods, but also reports that Israel fears that the US is “losing interest” in the hostage issue. Channel 12 also says Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff will be in Washington, and the Israeli hope is that negotiations can be revived.

Backed by Witkoff, Israel has sought to secure an extended first phase of the deal signed in January under which more living hostages would be released, rather than entering the second phase of the deal, under which Israel would be obligated to end the war.

In Budapest on Friday, a “senior official” on Netanyahu’s visit said it would be impossible to restart the war once Israel committed to ending it since Hamas would seek irrevocable guarantees, including a UN Security Council resolution.

As regards Iran, the report said Israel is anxious that, with Trump declaring a readiness to negotiate a new deal designed to prevent Iran from attaining nuclear weapons, Israel’s essential interests would be taken into account. If there is no new negotiation, and with the US sending forces to the region, then Israel needs to coordinate with the US on a potential attack, the report says.