Trump and Netanyahu discuss Gaza displacement plan in their second meeting at the White House.

A meeting began Monday evening at the White House between US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the second such meeting in two months.

Trump said, "We are doing everything we can to free the hostages. We are looking at another ceasefire, and we'll see what happens." The US president also reiterated that "it would be a good thing for the United States to control and own the Gaza Strip," reiterating a suggestion he had made several times during the first weeks of his term.

"Having a force like the United States there, controlling and owning the Gaza Strip, would be a good thing," he said at a press conference in the Oval Office.

Asked if he would fulfill his campaign promise to end the war in Gaza, Trump said, "I would like to see the war stop, and I think it will stop at some point, and it won't be in the very distant future."

For his part, Netanyahu announced at the same conference that work was underway to reach a "new" agreement regarding the release of Israeli detainees in the Gaza Strip, saying, "We are currently working on another agreement that we hope will succeed, and we are committed to freeing all hostages."

Regarding Iran's nuclear program, Trump said that Washington and Tehran are holding "direct talks."

He added, "We are having direct talks with Iran, and they have started. They will continue on Saturday. We have a very important meeting, and we will see what happens. I think everyone agrees that reaching a deal would be better." Trump indicated that he would prefer reaching an agreement on Iran's nuclear program to a military confrontation.

These statements come after the White House earlier announced the cancellation of a joint press conference between Trump and Netanyahu following their meeting.

The White House said a joint press conference scheduled for Monday between Trump and Netanyahu has been canceled, but the two leaders will answer questions in the Oval Office from a smaller group of journalists.

Netanyahu is the first foreign leader to meet with Trump since the latter announced the imposition of general tariffs last week.

(Agencies + Al-Araby Al-Jadeed)