Trump has largely focused on expanding the Abraham Accords, an agreement in his first term that led to normalization of relations between Israel and some Arab nations. He's also proposed a relocation plan for Gaza's two million Palestinians, which Netanyahu endorsed at the time.

The Executive Committee of the Middle East Council of Churches concluded a regular meeting in Beirut on Thursday with a call for ending the Israeli aggression against the Gaza Strip and condemnation of attacks on Palestinians by Jewish settlers in the occupied West Bank.

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Netanyahu said his meeting with Trump focused on freeing hostages in Gaza, and stressed his determination to "eliminate" the capabilities of Hamas.

Of the remaining hurdles to achieving a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, the most difficult to overcome may be the militants’ demand for a guaranteed end to the war.

A region that was awash in conflict and risk turns toward dealmaking—but for how long?

The two confronted an array of high-stakes Middle East issues. But first they took a victory lap, including the Israeli leader telling President Trump he had nominated him for a Nobel Peace Prize.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu presented Trump with Nobel Peace Prize nomination letter during White House meeting focused on Iran, Gaza and expanding regional peace.

Hamas accepted the framework of a new 60-day cease-fire and hostage-release proposal that, if concluded, would trigger U.S.-backed talks with Israel aimed at a permanent end to the war, Arab officials involved in the talks said.

The U.S. President said Israel “agreed to the necessary conditions to finalize” a 60-day ceasefire, “during which time we will work with all parties to end the war.”

A Gaza ceasefire deal could open the door to a much broader peace agreement. The “day after” in the tragic war in Gaza might finally be approaching, as Israel, the United States and key Arab states discuss terms for what officials hope could be a lasting truce.