Congressional leaders are meeting this week with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after some lawmakers accused the Israeli leader of trying to drag the U.S. into another war. Netanyahu met with House Speaker Mike Johnson Tuesday after meeting earlier in the day with Vice President JD Vance.

Barbara Leaf, former US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, says she is hopeful but not optimistic peace talks between Israel and Hamas will reach the phase because the "fundamentals that have divided the sides for months haven't altered.