From the Liveblog of
Wednesday, July 9, 2025
Netanyahu says meeting with Trump ‘focused on efforts to free our hostages’
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleLazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter
After meeting a second time with US President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance in the White House, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the discussions “focused on efforts to free our hostages.”
“We are not letting up for a moment, and this is possible because of the military pressure exerted by our heroic soldiers,” he says in a video shot in the Blair House. “Unfortunately, this effort is exacting a painful price from us, in the loss of our best sons.”
Netanyahu stresses that Israel is determined to achieve all of its goals in Gaza -“”the release of all our hostages, both living and dead; the elimination of Hamas’ military and governing capabilities; and ensuring that Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel.”
The three also discussed “the implications and possibilities” of the operation Israel and the US carried out against Iran, says Netanyahu.
“Opportunities are opening up here for expanding the circle of peace, expanding the Abraham Accords,” he says. “We are working on this with full vigor.”
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