Day 640 - PM lands in DC, issues to resolve before Trump meeting

Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world.

Political correspondent Tal Schneider and reporter Sue Surkes join host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode.

As Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lands in the US, Schneider discusses the day ahead for the Israeli leader, ahead of his Monday evening meeting with US President Donald Trump in the White House, and the expectations for the announcement of a permanent ceasefire at that point. 

Schneider looks at the issues that still need to be resolved, including the hostages, aid distribution in Gaza and who will manage Gaza if Hamas is no longer in power.

She also discusses the continuing clashes between Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, as Smotrich and his supporters accuse Zamir of being too weak in his handling of Gaza and he has lashed back, with their arguments leaked to the media.

Surkes looks at what is happening at Haifa's oil refineries after two Iranian missiles hit the plant, killing three workers and creating additional environmental concerns due to pollution from the plant, with calls to shut it down.

She also reports on residents from Gaza envelope communities being told by the government to return home in the next weeks and months, although there are still the sounds of war and explosions in their communities.

Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates.

For further reading:

Heading to DC, Netanyahu seeks Gaza deal ‘on our terms,’ vows Hamas will be destroyed

Smotrich reportedly clashes with Zamir over aid distribution in Gaza: ‘You have failed enormously’

Missile that hit Haifa oil refinery brings renewed urgency to plant’s closure plan

Refinery hit by Iran missiles emitting ‘100 times higher than usual’ levels of benzene

State approves immediate return home of 7 of 13 worst-hit Gaza border communities

Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves.

IMAGE: US President Donald Trump, left, shakes hands with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as he leaves the West Wing of the White House, April 7, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/ Mark Schiefelbein)

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