Netanyahu says discussed relocating Gazans with Trump during White House visit

“Israeli” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday he discussed the topic of “relocating” Gazans with the US President Donald Trump, during their meeting today in the White House - with Netanyahu describing it as a "bold" vision.

“We are trying very hard to get the hostages out. We are looking at another ceasefire; we’ll see what happens. We want to get the hostages out,” Trump said. 

“The Israeli people want the hostages out. More than anything, they want the hostages out. This man is working very hard with us to do that. I don’t know, I hope he’s being appreciated because he’s been a great leader. He’s working very, very hard on the hostages and many other things… It’s a tough place in the world.”

Netanyahu said that "Israel" is working on a new Gaza ceasefire deal that aims to release more captives from the Strip. Trump responded by saying the war will stop in the not-too-distant future. 

"We're working now on another deal that we hope will succeed, and we're committed to getting all the hostages out," Netanyahu told reporters in the Oval Office.

Trump also doubled down on his plan for the US to "control" the Gaza strip -- which he described as a "great piece of real estate" -- which he initially announced when Netanyahu last visited him in February.

“Israel” will "eliminate" its trade deficit with the United States, Netanyahu added during his visit, as the world reels from stinging tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump.

"We will eliminate the trade deficit with the United States... We think it's the right thing to do," Netanyahu told reporters in the Oval Office, saying he felt Israel could serve "as a model for many countries."

On the other hand, Trump said he is “not looking” at a pause in tariffs.

"We're not looking at that. We have many, many countries that are coming to negotiate deals with us, and there are going to be fair deals," he told reporters. Trump also reiterated his threat of additional 50 percent duties on Chinese goods if Beijing did not retract its counter tariff plans by Tuesday.

He also revealed that his country is holding direct talks with Iran on its nuclear program, and will continue on Saturday.

“We’re having direct talks with Iran, and they’ve started. It’ll go on Saturday. We have a very big meeting, and we’ll see what can happen. And I think everybody agrees that doing a deal would be preferable,” Trump told reporters, adding that he hopes to reach a deal soon to avoid an alternative that he does not want to be involved in, according to his expression.

Trump and Netanyahu had a private meeting prior to their statements to the press. Footage earlier showed Netanyahu meeting top US officials in the White House, including US Vice President JD Vance, and US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

Netanyahu was accompanied by “Israel’s” Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer – according to Hebrew media.