If details  work out, PM Netanyahu will be first foreign leader to meet President Trump at the White House

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is planning to meet US President Donald Trump in Washington as early as next week, according to reports, as hundreds of thousands of Palestinian people made their way back into northern Gaza on Monday.

Should Netanyahu’s trip come together in that timeframe, he could be the first foreign leader to meet with Trump at the White House since his inauguration last week. Citing two US officials familiar with the preliminary plans, the Associated Press reports that details could be arranged when Trump’s special Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, travels to Israel this week for talks with Netanyahu and other Israeli officials.

Axios, which first reported the planning for the trip, said that it is a gesture from Trump to Netanyahu for agreeing to the Gaza hostage-release and ceasefire deal. Israeli officials told Axios that Netanyahu’s arrival in Washington depends primarily on his recovery after recent prostate surgery.

Trump teased the upcoming visit in a conversation with reporters aboard Air Force One on Monday, but didn’t provide scheduling details. “I’m going to be speaking with Bibi Netanyahu in the not too distant future,” he said.

Netanyahu’s spokesperson Omer Dostri said the Israeli leader has yet to receive an official invitation to the White House.

8 hostages dead

Meanwhile, a report quoting Israeli sources said eight  of the  hostages among 33 being released were already dead. Under Israel's multi-phased deal with Hamas, some hostages held in the Gaza Strip and Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails have started to be released. Negotiations between Israel and Hamas are expected to continue amid the first phase of the deal, which was slated to last about six weeks.