Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in Washington for a week of high-stakes meetings ahead of the fifth round of hostage releases and to initiate negotiations for phase two of the cease-fire and hostage release deal.

Axar.az, citing Ynet, reports that Netanyahu’s first meeting is scheduled with Steve Witkoff, U.S. President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy, followed by a meeting with Trump on Tuesday evening. Throughout the week, Netanyahu will also meet with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, congressional and Senate leaders, evangelical figures, and the designated U.S. ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee.

Families of Israeli hostages requested to accompany Netanyahu on his trip but were denied. However, some family members, including Einav Zangauker, mother of hostage Matan Zangauker, traveled to Washington on commercial flights. Netanyahu is expected to meet with these families during his visit. Tensions remain high following Hamas’s violations of the existing agreement, particularly the failure to release hostages like Arbel Yehoud as promised, leading Israel to take retaliatory measures such as restricting movement through the Netzarim Corridor and delaying the release of Palestinian prisoners.

Israel retains several levers of pressure to ensure compliance from Hamas. These include controlling the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza, regulating the opening and closing of the Rafah crossing (a critical point for Hamas), and adjusting the pace of Palestinian prisoner releases. Additionally, Israel can delay or alter its planned military withdrawal from key areas in Gaza and suspend reconstruction efforts, including infrastructure projects and the delivery of humanitarian supplies. Israel has issued stern warnings to mediators, including Qatar and Egypt, indicating that any future violations will trigger immediate and significant responses.