President Trump Will Confirm Ceasefire Issues In Gaza When Meeting Israeli PM

JAKARTA - President Donald Trump said he would affirm the issue of a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, Palestine when he received Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who will visit the United States next week.

Speaking to reporters ahead of a visit to Florida President Trump said he would be "very firm" about the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

"We hope that will happen. And we look forward to it next week," he told reporters as he left the White House.

"We want to free the hostages," he said.

Apart from Gaza, the planned meeting of the two leaders at the White House on Monday will also discuss Iran's issues to trade.

PM Netanyahu is also scheduled to hold a number of outdoor meetings with President Donald Trump while in the United States, including Vice President JD Vance to Congressional leaders.

In a statement ahead of Tuesday's cabinet meeting, PM Netanyahu said he would also meet with Vice President JD Vance, Foreign Minister Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Trade Minister Howard Lutnick to Special Envoy for Middle East Steve Witkoff.

"We still have a few things to work on to reach a trade deal other than other issues," he said, referring to President Trump's tariff plan.

"I will also hold meetings with the leaders of Congress and the Senate and some security meetings," he added.

President Trump last week said his government would send letters to a number of countries to inform them of higher rates before July 9, when import duties are scheduled to return from a temporary rating of 10 percent to the range between 11 percent and 50 percent announced on April 2 and then suspended.

The US initially set a tariff of 17 percent for Israeli goods sold in the United States.

"There are several things that must be resolved before that to reach the trade agreement," said PM Netanyahu.