WASHINGTON DC, UNITED STATES (JULY 8, 2025) (ISRAELI PRIME MINISTRY - RESTRICTED) RESTRICTION: USERS MUST CREDIT “ISRAELI PRIME MINISTRY” HANDOUT, MUST NOT OBSCURE LOGO —EDITORIAL USE ONLY— SHOTLIST: 1. VARIOUS SHOTS OF ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU SEAKING (English) WASHINGTON DC, UNITED STATES - JULY 8, 2025 - RESTRICTION: USERS MUST CREDIT “ISRAELI PRIME MINISTRY” HANDOUT, MUST NOT OBSCURE LOGO —EDITORIAL USE ONLY— Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday, July 8, that they are working toward achieving a cease-fire in Gaza. Netanyahu, who is visiting U.S. President Donald Trump for the third time during Trump’s new presidential term, met with Speaker of the House Mike Johnson on the second day of his visit to Washington. Speaking to the press after the meeting, Netanyahu said they have certain plans for peace and aim to implement them together with the United States. Netanyahu told reporters in Congress earlier in the day: "We have still to finish the job in Gaza, release all our hostages, eliminate and destroy Hamas' military and governance capabilities, because Gaza must have a different future for our sake, for everyone's sake." Responding to a question about whether a cease-fire would be declared, Netanyahu said, “We are working on it. I can’t say anything in advance.” Noting that they are in contact with many parties regarding the cease-fire, Netanyahu stated, “We have a goal and we aim to achieve it.” “We accepted the proposal from the mediators. It was a good offer. It aligns with the original idea of (Trump’s Middle East envoy) Steve Witkoff, and we believe we are getting close to it. Our goal is to move on to the next phase,” he added Netanyahu said that the US B-2 bombers demonstrated significant power in potential strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities, arguing that Washington's support serves the security of both the United States and Israel." The Israeli army has killed nearly 57,600 Palestinians, most of them women and children, in Gaza since October 2023. The relentless bombardment has destroyed the enclave and led to food shortages and a spread of disease.