Pressures Mount on Israeli Prime Minister Ahead of Washington Visit

World leaders are intensifying their efforts to secure a cease-fire agreement as protests erupt in Israel and hostage families appeal to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reach a deal. With his upcoming visit to Washington looming, Netanyahu faces mounting pressures from various fronts.

Netanyahu’s speech before a divided Congress is expected to be contentious, especially if a resolution with Hamas to end the conflict is not reached before his trip. Mediators in Qatar and Egypt are actively engaged in negotiations to outline terms for a deal that would halt the hostilities and facilitate the return of approximately 120 hostages, both alive and deceased, taken during the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7.

In a recent address to the Knesset, Israel’s Parliament, Netanyahu hinted that escalating military pressure on Hamas could lead to more favorable negotiation outcomes, indicating that a comprehensive agreement may not be imminent.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid has urged Netanyahu to reconsider his congressional speech scheduled for July 24 unless he plans to announce a breakthrough deal. Lapid emphasized the need for Netanyahu to finalize a hostage agreement promptly without introducing additional conditions that could impede progress, as reported instances of Netanyahu adding conditions that Hamas is likely to oppose have complicated the negotiations.