US President Donald Trump hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Monday. The meeting took place as Israeli officials held indirect talks with Hamas, hoping to reach a US-backed ceasefire in Gaza along with a hostage release deal.

Netanyahu’s visit came shortly after Trump predicted that both sides could finalize an agreement within the week. Before departing for Washington, Netanyahu said that his meeting with Trump could help move forward negotiations currently underway in Qatar, where Israel and Hamas are trying to find common ground.

Third Face-to-Face Since January

This was the third time Trump and Netanyahu met in person since Trump returned to office in January. It followed Trump’s decision to order military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, which came in response to Israeli air raids. Those strikes played a key role in ending a 12-day war between Israel and Iran, and Trump helped broker a ceasefire soon afterward.

Netanyahu Nominates Trump for Nobel Peace Prize

At a dinner hosted by Trump, Netanyahu revealed that he had nominated the US President for the Nobel Peace Prize. He presented Trump with a letter sent to the prize committee. “He’s forging peace as we speak, in one country, in one region after the other,” Netanyahu said.

Trump has been nominated for the prize several times before by his supporters. However, he has often expressed frustration at being overlooked by the Norwegian Nobel Committee. He has pointed out his past efforts in mediating conflicts, including those between India and Pakistan, and Serbia and Kosovo, as reasons why he deserved the recognition.

Using Iran’s Weakness to Push Forward

Now, Trump and his advisors are trying to use Iran’s weakened state—as a result of the recent military pressure—to gain momentum in the 21-month-long Gaza war. Iran supports Hamas, so weakening Iran could influence the group’s decisions.

Trump also said he plans to speak with Netanyahu about the possibility of a permanent peace deal with Iran, which remains Israel’s most powerful rival in the region.

A Private Dinner Instead of Formal Talks

Unlike past meetings held in the Oval Office, Trump and Netanyahu chose to have a private dinner this time. The White House did not provide a clear reason for skipping the traditional, more formal discussion.

After arriving in Washington overnight, Netanyahu first met with Steve Witkoff, Trump’s Middle East envoy, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio to prepare for his sit-down with Trump. On Tuesday, he planned to visit the US Capitol for meetings with congressional leaders.

Qatar Talks and Regional Diplomacy in Focus

Before leaving for the US, Netanyahu told reporters that he would personally thank Trump for launching airstrikes on Iran. He also confirmed that Israeli negotiators were continuing talks in Doha, Qatar’s capital, in hopes of securing progress in Gaza.

Israeli officials believe that resolving tensions with Iran could also lead to better ties with regional neighbors, such as Lebanon, Syria, and Saudi Arabia. These topics are also expected to be part of Netanyahu’s discussions with Trump.