Netanyahu Delays Gaza Ceasefire Talks Pending Trump Meeting

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's meeting with President Donald Trump is pivotal to the future of the Gaza ceasefire deal, with Israeli officials stating that serious negotiations for the second phase will only commence afterward. This phase is anticipated to involve a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and the release of remaining hostages in exchange for Palestinian detainees. Concerns are rising among Israeli lawmakers that Netanyahu may impede progress for political survival, as advancing the ceasefire could threaten his coalition government. The deadline for initiating the next phase of talks was missed, with Netanyahu opting to delay negotiations until after his discussions in Washington. Both Hamas and Israeli officials remain tight-lipped about the negotiations, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the ceasefire's future. The complexity of the situation is heightened by the potential for renewed conflict if talks do not succeed.