Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has officially nominated US President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, presenting the nomination letter during a high-stakes dinner at the White House on Monday night.

At the beginning of their joint dinner, Netanyahu praised Trump’s “pursuit of peace and security which you’re leading in many lands but now especially in the Middle East” in front of journalists.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: The Israeli Prime Minister has nominated the US President for a Nobel Peace Prize

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The Israeli leader said Trump was “forging peace as we speak in one country, in one region after the other”.

Netanyahu then handed Trump a letter stating he had sent the same letter to the Nobel Prize Committee nominating the US president for the peace prize.

“It’s nominating you for the peace prize which is well deserved and you should get it,” Netanyahu said directly to Trump.

The US president appeared visibly moved, responding: “Wow ... Coming from you in particular, this is very meaningful.”

The United States is considered Israel’s closest ally.

Trump confident Hamas wants Gaza ceasefire

Also at the beginning of the government leaders’ joint dinner, Trump said he was confident Hamas would agree to a ceasefire in Gaza.

“They want to meet and they want to have that ceasefire,” he said.

Regarding the current state of indirect talks about a ceasefire and hostage release, US Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff, who was also present at the dinner, said there was an opportunity to reach an agreement quickly.

According to the White House, he will travel to the Qatari capital Doha this week to participate in the mediation talks.

The two leaders, joined by their senior aides, discussed advancing a proposed ceasefire aimed at pausing the conflict in Gaza.

Gaza relocation plan

Trump and Netanyahu also talked about the situation of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

When asked about relocation plans, Trump said there was good cooperation with Israel’s neighbouring countries.

He did not provide specifics.

Netanyahu, meanwhile, explained: “I think President Trump had a brilliant vision.”

“It’s called free choice,” he said.

“You know, if people want to stay, they can stay, but if they want to leave, they should be able to leave.”

He said they were working very closely with the US “to find countries that will seek to realize what they always say, that they want to give the Palestinians a better future”.

“I think we’re getting close to finding several countries,“ Netanyahu added.

He did not provide further details.

Trump pledges more weapons to Ukraine

Trump also commented on the Russian war in the Ukraine.

“We’re going to send some more weapons,” Trump promised.

“We have to. They have to be able to defend themselves. They’re getting hit very hard now.”

These should primarily be defensive weapons, he added.

Just last Tuesday, it became known the US had stopped delivery of some already promised weapons - including air defence missiles - to Ukraine.