Wadi Gaza, Gaza Strip – U.S. President Donald Trump has invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House on Feb. 4 as the first foreign leader to visit in Trump's second term, Netanhayu and the White House said Tuesday.

The visit by the envoy, Steven Witkoff, was set to take place as Israeli and Hamas officials prepared for a new round of negotiations aimed at cementing the current cease-fire in Gaza and allowing more exchanges of hostages and Palestinian prisoners.

The Trump-Netanyahu meeting comes after the US president repeatedly claimed credit for sealing an ongoing ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, which came after months of fruitless negotiations.

US President Donald Trump has doubled down on his proposal to “clean out” Gaza by removing Palestinians living there to Jordan and Egypt, a plan which has appalled some allies but has been quickly embraced by Israel’s far right.

The president expanded on a controversial idea that was rejected by the Arab states and would represent a significant shift in U.S. policy.

Middle East leaders are reportedly questioning President Donald Trump's suggestion that the Palestinian population in Gaza move to Jordan and Egypt.

The US president says he wants displaced Palestinians to be moved from Gaza to neighbouring countries, maybe for the long term.