US President Donald Trump hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for pivotal talks on Monday to press him to back a Gaza peace proposal aimed at ending a nearly two-year war that has seen Israel face growing international isolation. AdvertisementIn Netanyahu’s fourth visit since Trump returned to office in January, the right-wing Israeli leader was looking to shore up his country’s most important relationship after a slew of Western leaders formally embraced Palestinian statehood last week in defiance of the US and Israel. Trump, who had sharply criticised the recognition moves as a prize to Hamas, was seeking Netanyahu’s agreement on a framework to end the war in the Palestinian territory and free the remaining hostages held by the militants. Washington presented a 21-point peace plan to Arab and Muslim states on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly last week and Trump’s main objective on Monday was to try to close the remaining gaps with Netanyahu. Advertisement