US President Donald Trump welcomed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House on Monday. At the same time, Israeli officials continued indirect talks with Hamas to reach a US-backed ceasefire in Gaza and work on a hostage-release deal.

Netanyahu's Third Visit Since Trump's Return

This marked Netanyahu’s third in-person meeting with Trump since the US leader returned to power in January. Before flying to Washington, Netanyahu said the meeting with Trump might help speed up ongoing negotiations in Qatar between Israel and Hamas.

Trump recently ordered airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites, supporting Israel during a 12-day war with Iran. After that, he helped mediate a ceasefire between the two countries.

Netanyahu Nominates Trump for Nobel Peace Prize

During a dinner at the White House, Netanyahu made a big announcement. He nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize. He also presented a copy of the letter he sent to the Nobel committee.

Netanyahu praised Trump’s role in promoting peace and said, “He’s forging peace as we speak, in one country, in one region after the other.”

Trump has received several nominations for the prize in the past. However, he has often expressed frustration over not winning it. He has criticized the Nobel committee for ignoring his role in easing tensions between India and Pakistan, as well as Serbia and Kosovo.

Trump Seeks a Breakthrough Using Iran’s Weakness

Trump hopes Iran’s recent military and political setbacks—especially after the Israeli strikes—will create an opportunity to pressure Hamas, a key Iranian ally. He also said he wants to talk with Netanyahu about the chances of reaching a “permanent deal” with Iran, calling it Israel’s biggest regional threat.

Private Dinner Replaces Oval Office Talks

Interestingly, instead of a traditional meeting in the Oval Office, Trump and Netanyahu chose to have a private dinner. The White House did not explain why they went for a quieter setting this time.

After arriving in Washington late Sunday, Netanyahu met with Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy for the Middle East, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday. These meetings were part of the preparation for his main talks with Trump.

Focus on Gaza, Iran, and Normalization with Arab States

Before leaving Israel, Netanyahu said he planned to thank Trump for the US airstrikes on Iran. He also confirmed that Israeli negotiators in Doha were actively working on a potential Gaza agreement.

Israeli officials believe that resolving tensions with Iran could help the country normalize ties with more neighbors—especially Lebanon, Syria, and Saudi Arabia. That topic is also expected to come up in Trump’s conversation with Netanyahu.