U.S. President Donald Trump will host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Monday, having repeatedly hinted at an imminent Gaza ceasefire agreement in weekend social media posts. Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces is continuing its operation to take control of Gaza City, the largest urban area in the Gaza Strip, despite international outcry over the deteriorated humanitarian situation in the Palestinian territory. Israel is facing significant diplomatic pressure abroad, with multiple Western nations recognizing Palestinian statehood -- while also demanding that Hamas can not be part of any future government -- as world leaders gathered at the United Nations General Assembly in New York last week. Netanyahu said that Israel will not allow an independent Palestinian state to exist. Sep 29, 3:55 AMIDF says it launched 140 strikes on Gaza in past 24 hours The Israel Defense Forces said Monday that Israeli forces attacked more than 140 targets across Gaza in the previous 24 hours "from the air, land and sea." The IDF said the targets included groups of enemy fighters, plus positions, buildings and other "infrastructure" it claimed were in use by enemy forces. Sep 29, 3:28 AMMissile launched toward Israel from Yemen, IDF says The Israel Defense Forces said on Monday that a missile was intercepted having been fired toward Israel from Yemen, prompting alerts in several areas of the country. The Iran-aligned Houthi movement in Yemen has been waging a long-range missile and drone campaign against Israel since Oct. 7, 2023. The IDF has responded with regular airstrikes on military, government and industrial targets in Houthi-controlled Yemen. Sep 29, 3:10 AMTrump to host Netanyahu at White House for Gaza talks President Donald Trump will welcome Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House at 11 a.m. EST on Monday, according to the official White House schedule. The two men will then hold a bilateral meeting followed by a lunch. At around 1:15 p.m., the two leaders are expected to hold a press conference. Sep 26, 10:18 AMTrump on Gaza: 'I think we have a deal' President Donald Trump, leaving the White House on Friday to attend the Ryder Cup in New York, spoke to reporters and said he believed there may be a deal on Gaza."It's looking like we have a deal on Gaza, and we'll let you know," Trump said. "I think it's a deal that will get he hostages back. It's going to be a deal that will end the war. It's going to be a deal -- it's going to be peace. I think we have a deal." Trump didn't elaborate on what the plan would entail. His comments comeafter recent reports of a Gaza planthat would see former United Kingdom Prime Minister Tony Blair head a temporary administration of the Gaza Strip. Sep 28, 9:57 AMTrump teases 'something special' for Middle East Ahead of hosting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Monday, President Donald Trump posted to social media teasing successful negotiations among "all" parties in the Middle East -- claiming "something special" is on the horizon for "greatness" in the region. "We have a real chance for GREATNESS IN THE MIDDLE EAST. ALL ARE ON BOARD FOR SOMETHING SPECIAL, FIRST TIME EVER. WE WILL GET IT DONE," Trump wrote on social media. It was not immediately clear which countries or leaders Trump was referring to.The post comes days after Trump reported "inspired and productive" discussions regarding a possible ceasefire deal in the Gaza Strip.-ABC News' Isabella Murray Click here to read the rest of the blog.
