Netanyahu's visit to Washington: Concluding a prisoner exchange deal with Hamas and normalization with Syria

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to the United States, scheduled for next month, aims to normalize relations with Syria and conclude a prisoner exchange deal with Hamas, according to Israel's Channel 12.

According to the same channel, Washington is cautiously optimistic about a comprehensive normalization deal and an expansion of the Abraham Accords, along with reaching an agreement to end the war on Gaza.

On the Israeli side, there is a realization that the key to expanding the normalization agreements will only be achieved through a commitment to US President Donald Trump to end the war on Gaza. There is a possibility of a limited expansion of the Abraham Accords and reaching an agreement with Syria alone, but Netanyahu is interested in a comprehensive deal that also includes Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Indonesia, and Malaysia.

For his part, Trump's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, favors a comprehensive agreement that includes a prisoner exchange and expanded normalization agreements, and he is also expected to pressure Qatar after the proposed agreement is formulated, according to Israel's Channel 12.

According to Israeli sources, talks on a ceasefire in Gaza are continuing, but without any progress.

This comes as families of Israeli prisoners await a response from the Trump administration regarding the possibility of meeting with him next week. The administration, in its own words, "is the one who can pressure the mediators, Hamas, and the Israeli government to reach a comprehensive deal, despite the opposition of Ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir."

Meanwhile, families of Israeli prisoners received messages from US officials stating that they are seeking a broader agreement that includes a comprehensive deal and an end to the war on Gaza.

In a related development, the Walla news website quoted an informed source as saying that Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer will travel to Washington on Monday to hold talks on Iran and the war on Gaza, in addition to coordinating a visit by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

A US official stated that Netanyahu's visit is likely to take place in the second half of July.