Netanyahu considers Washington visit for Trump meeting in near future

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is considering a potential visit to Washington, DC, in the near future for a meeting with US President Donald Trump, according to an Israeli source familiar with the matter, as reported by CNN.

The trip could take place as early as next week or the week after, as Trump seeks to push forward a wider ceasefire framework between Israel and Lebanon. The current truce, which Trump recently extended by three weeks, is scheduled to expire in mid-May.

However, in a statement released on April 29, Netanyahu’s office said the prime minister is not expected to travel to the United States in the coming week, while confirming that he remains in close contact with Trump.

Trump has also signalled interest in hosting what could become a historic meeting between Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun. Israel and Lebanon maintain no diplomatic relations, and their top leaders have never held a direct meeting.

By Jeyhun Aghazada