As Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in Washington, D.C., on Monday, he faced increasing pressure from hostage families and Israeli security officials to secure a deal with Hamas in Gaza.

Negotiators have expressed optimism about the ongoing talks, with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stating they were nearing completion.

Netanyahu recently outlined conditions that Arab and Israeli officials said had slowed progress, as reported by the Times of Israel.

After landing in Washington, Netanyahu met with the delegation of hostage families accompanying him, expressing confidence that conditions for a deal were improving.

“Unfortunately, it will not happen all at once; there will be stages,” he stated. “I believe we can advance the deal and maintain leverage to secure the release of others.”

Meanwhile, the parents of Hersh Goldberg-Polin and eight other American hostages’ relatives increased pressure on Netanyahu ahead of his speech to Congress, stating any speech without a deal announcement would be a failure.

The IDF’s support for a deal was emphasized Monday, with sources that a temporary Gaza withdrawal could happen with minimal security cost.

Despite other officials, including Netanyahu, saying the IDF won’t evacuate the Philadelphi Corridor or Netzarim Corridor, IDF withdrew from almost all Gaza areas and re-invaded Khan Younis on Monday night.

Officials argued that altenative solutions can secure Egypt-Gaza security, adding the IDF might retake the Philadelphi Corridor if needed. On Netzarim, officials kept the corridor to stop north Gaza terrorists from taking IDF weapons and weapons.

The developments come as Netanyahu prepares to meet with Biden and leaders in Washington, including a joint session before Congress. Controversy has arisen as Vice President and now presidential candidate Kamala Harris has reportedly opted not to join the joint session in an apparent protest to the prime minister’s visit.