Trump calls for Gaza hostages release ahead of Netanyahu meeting at the White House – Middle East crisis live

<p>US president will host Israeli prime minister following joint strikes against Iran</p><p>A US envoy met Lebanese officials in Beirut on Monday to discuss a proposed plan to disarm Hezbollah, hours after Israel launched new air strikes and a cross-border ground assault.</p><p>The Israeli escalation was seen by Lebanese officials and diplomats as an attempt to ratchet up pressure on Hezbollah, whose leader Naim Qassem said in a televised speech on Sunday that the group still needed arms to defend Lebanon from Israel.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2025/jul/07/middle-east-crisis-live-trump-gaza-hostages-release-netanyahu-meeting-israel-latest-news">Continue reading...</a>