Trump Urges Israel to Secure Hostage Deal Amid Abraham Accords Expansion Plans
President Donald Trump is intensifying pressure on Israel to end its conflict in Gaza and secure a hostage deal, as he aims to expand the Abraham Accords. Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer is set to meet with Trump to align U.S. and Israeli positions ahead of indirect negotiations. Israel claims Hamas is blocking the return of 50 hostages, including 49 taken during the October 7 attack and one held since 2014. The situation has drawn international attention, with new developments in the hostage negotiations and ongoing tensions.
Reports indicate that mediators are pushing Israel to send negotiators to Egypt, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has refused. Instead, Dermer was sent to Washington to ensure alignment before negotiations continue. The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that 27 of the hostages are assessed to have been killed, including two Americans, while Netanyahu has expressed doubts about the fate of others. Trump’s administration is seeking to expand the Abraham Accords to include new nations, with potential additions such as Syria and Lebanon, though challenges remain due to the ongoing conflict. The resolution of the hostage issue will be pivotal in achieving Trump’s broader diplomatic goals.