Donald Trump has invited Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House in the "near future," the prime minister's office said on Monday, shortly after the US President said Israel should maintain a strong and true dialogue with Syria.
A visit to the White House would mark the Israeli prime minister's fifth since Trump returned to office in January. The two leaders have publicly projected a close relationship, though US and Israeli sources have said Trump has at times expressed frustration with Netanyahu.
The prime minister's office said Netanyahu and Trump discussed disarming Hamas and demilitarising Gaza. Trump in September announced a plan to end the Gaza war and a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has been in place since October.
TRUMP PUSHES ISRAEL-SYRIA DIALOGUE
Trump earlier said in a statement that it was very important that Israel maintained a "strong and true dialogue" with neighbouring Syria, and that "nothing takes place that will interfere with Syria's evolution into a prosperous state".
"Syria and Israel will have a long and prosperous relationship together," said Trump, whose administration is trying to broker a non-aggression pact between the two states.
Syria does not formally recognise Israel, which has occupied more Syrian territory since December 2024. It has occupied the Syrian Golan Heights since 1967 and later annexed it, a move recognised by the US but not by most other countries.
Trump has backed Syria's new leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, while Israel voiced hostility over his historical controversies. An Israeli raid in southern Syria on Friday killed 13 Syrians, Syrian state media reported. The Israeli military said it had targeted a Lebanese group there.
The call with Trump also came a day after Netanyahu asked Israel's president for a pardon in his long-running corruption trial. Trump has publicly voiced support for pardoning Netanyahu and sent a letter last month urging President Isaac Herzog to consider it.
The prime minister's readout of the call made no mention of the pardon. Israeli opposition politicians have come out against the request and called on Netanyahu to instead resign.
Shooting at Australia's Bondi Beach kills 12
Police hold person of interest after Brown University shooting leaves two dead
Hamas says Israel's killing of senior commander threatens ceasefire
Ukraine's Zelenskyy ditches NATO ambition ahead of peace talks
Thailand declares curfew along coast as Cambodia border fighting spreads
India tightens pollution curbs as Delhi's air quality worsens
'Peace is not far away' says Erdogan after Putin meeting
Belarus frees Nobel winner, protest figures as US lifts more sanctions
