Israel says Trump’s Middle East visit is the ‘window of opportunity’ for hostage deal

A senior Israeli defense official on Monday said President Donald Trump’s upcoming visit to the Middle East is the “window of opportunity” to secure a hostage deal, otherwise Israel will initiate a new military operation in the Gaza Strip.

"If there is no hostage deal, Operation 'Gideon Chariots' will begin with great intensity and will not stop until all its goals are achieved," the official said according to a Reuters report in reference to a Sunday night decision by Israel’s security cabinet to expand operations in the Gaza Strip.