U.S. President Donald Trump will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu , marking Netanyahu's third visit to the White House since Trump’s return to office about six months ago.

Netanyahu expressed hope that his discussions with Trump would help advance talks on the release of hostages and a ceasefire in Gaza, while Trump said an agreement could be reached this week.

On Sunday, before boarding his flight to Washington, Netanyahu said Israeli negotiators involved in the ceasefire talks had clear instructions to reach a deal under terms already accepted by Israel.

He added, “I believe that the discussion with President Trump will certainly help achieve these outcomes,” emphasizing his determination to secure the return of hostages held in Gaza and eliminate the threat posed by Hamas to Israel.

Trump also voiced optimism, saying an agreement to free hostages and implement a ceasefire could be finalized this week, potentially resulting in the release of “a significant number of hostages,” as he put it.

Speaking to reporters before returning to Washington from a weekend in New Jersey, Trump said, “I believe there’s a good chance of reaching a deal with Hamas this week.”

Public pressure on Netanyahu is mounting to agree to a permanent ceasefire and end the war in Gaza—a move opposed by some hardliners within the ruling right-wing coalition but supported by others, including Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar.

On Friday, Hamas described its response to the U.S.-backed Gaza ceasefire proposal as “positive,” just days after Trump announced that Israel had accepted the “terms necessary to finalize” a 60-day truce.

Netanyahu reiterated his belief that the discussions with President Trump would help achieve these goals and reaffirmed his commitment to returning the hostages and neutralizing the Hamas threat.

He has repeatedly stated that Hamas must be disarmed—a demand the militant group refuses to consider.

Netanyahu also said he and Trump would build upon the outcome of last month’s 12-day air campaign against Iran and work to ensure Tehran does not acquire nuclear weapons.

He added that recent developments in the Middle East presented an opportunity to expand the circle of peace.

The war began when Hamas launched an attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which Israeli statistics say resulted in around 1,200 deaths and the abduction of 251 individuals to Gaza.

According to Gaza’s Ministry of Health, Israel’s subsequent military campaign in the territory has killed more than 57,000 Palestinians, triggered a hunger crisis, displaced the entire population, and caused widespread destruction.

It is believed that around 20 remaining hostages are still alive. Most hostages have been released through diplomatic negotiations, with the Israeli military also managing to extract some of them from Gaza.