Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Tuesday that President Donald Trump has invited him to the White House on September 29, shortly after Netanyahu’s scheduled UN address in New York.
The meeting comes as Israel intensifies its offensive in Gaza City. At a press conference, Netanyahu warned Hamas against harming hostages, vowing that any such act would trigger overwhelming Israeli retaliation.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who visited Israel this week, reaffirmed American support, saying Hamas must either surrender or face elimination. Rubio refrained from criticizing Israel over last week’s strike in Qatar that killed several Hamas members but missed key leadership targets.
Netanyahu also defended Israel’s economy after markets reacted nervously to his remarks about self-reliance, stressing that Israel’s financial foundations remain strong. He added that pressure from hostile governments and decades of anti-Israel propaganda mean Israel must build an even more independent defense industry.
This will mark Netanyahu’s fourth White House visit since Trump’s second term began in January, underscoring the close ties between the two leaders during wartime.
