If diplomacy is to be Trump's chosen path, Netanyahu will push to ensure it is not another drawn-out process that buys Iran more time.

His visit comes as a fragile truce holds between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, and between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Both militant groups are backed by Iran.

Netanyahu, who is under mounting pressure from far-right governing partners to resume the war after the first phase ends in early March, has said Israel is still committed to victory over Hamas. It’s