TRANSCRIPT
A meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump at the White House.
"The fact that this would be President Trump's first meeting with a foreign leader since his inauguration is telling. I think it's a testament to the strength of the Israeli American alliance. It's also a testimonial to the strength of our personal friendship. That friendship and that cooperation has already yielded important results for Israel in the Middle East."
This meeting comes at a crucial time for negotiations, as the second phase of the ceasefire in Gaza stalls.
The pause of the fighting in Gaza has led to the reopening of the Rafah crossing, allowing for injured children to be medically evacuated to Egypt.
This is the moment Abdul has been waiting for.
A chance to leave Gaza to receive proper medical treatment.
He has a congenital heart defect and a suspected case of cystic fibrosis.
His mother, Al-Ata Al-Najjar says she feels relieved.
"I was very happy when I received the call yesterday about traveling for treatment, I felt relieved that my child, God willing, will get his treatment."
They're going through the Rafah crossing, which up until Saturday had been closed since May last year by Israel and Egypt.
Israeli forces shut it down during an offensive in Rafah, prompting Egypt to close its side in protest.
The World Health Organisation says there are 14-thousand other critical patients who need evacuation.
Alin, who suffers from vision loss, is among the first 50 children to be let out.
Ahmed Khalil is Alin's father.
"We have been trying to travel out for treatment since the border was closed, and by God’s will, today we will be able travel out for the child’s treatment. The feeling I’ll get when I see that my daughter has recovered her sight? I’ll be the happiest person in the world."
But this has only been made possible by the ceasefire.
Negotiations for the second phase, intended to end the war, are expected to start soon.
Yet no formal meeting between negotiators has been set.
Qatari Prime Minister, Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman Bin Jassim Al Thani says they are hoping to see developments in coming days.
"There is nothing yet clear about who are, what other delegations will come and when it’s going to take place but at least over the phone these discussions have started and we hope that we start to see some movement in the next few days."
He says it's critical to get things moving before day 42, as a show of commitment from both sides to engage in good faith.
The Israeli prime minister's meeting with Donald Trump at the White House, is another factor expected to delay talks.
Mr Netanyahu is facing an arrest warrant issued in The Hague from the International Criminal Court on allegations of war crimes.
This visit is offering a chance to polish his diplomatic credentials in Washington, which has come out strongly against the I-C-C.
Speaking before he left for Washington, Mr Netanyahu says he is looking forward to working with Mr Trump.
"The decisions we made in the war have already changed the face of the Middle East. Our decisions and the courage of our soldiers have redrawn the map. But I believe that working closely with President Trump, we can redraw it even further and for the better. I believe that we can strengthen security, broaden the circle of peace, and achieve a remarkable era of peace through strength."
US President Donald Trump echoing a similar sentiment.
"The discussions on the Middle East with Israel and various and sundry, other countries are progressing. Bibi Netanyahu is coming on Tuesday, and I think we have some very big meetings scheduled."
Mr Netanyahu is also set to hold second phase talks with the US Middle East Envoy, Steve Witkoff.
He has been in Tel Aviv meeting with Israeli soldiers released from Gaza.
"The people of the united states stands with you, the president stands with you, and we have a common goal to bring everybody home. So everybody - every family can have this moment."
The release of the remaining hostages, still a priority.
While Gaza has been the focus of ceasefire talks, in the occupied West Bank, Israel's military has destroyed a series of buildings that it says were being used by militants.
Palestinian officials say at least 25 people have been killed in Jenin in the past few weeks.
Among those killed were nine militants, an elderly man and a toddler.
