Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is traveling to the United States today and is expected to meet President Donald Trump on Monday in Florida, a senior Israeli official confirmed. This marks Netanyahu’s fifth visit to the U.S. this year to meet with his key ally.
The meeting is viewed as crucial for the next steps of the fragile Gaza ceasefire plan, as the Trump administration and regional mediators aim to advance to Phase Two of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
Gaza Ceasefire: Phase Two
According to Gershon Baskin, co-chair of the peace commission “Alliance for Two States”, the timing of the meeting is critical.
- Phase One has concluded, but a captured Israeli prisoner remains unaccounted for, complicating negotiations with Hamas.
- Phase Two, originally delayed, is expected to include:
- Israeli withdrawal from Gaza positions
- Temporary governance of Gaza by an interim authority
- Deployment of an international stabilization force (ISF)
- Disarmament of Hamas, a particularly challenging point
Both sides have accused each other of frequent ceasefire violations, slowing progress toward Phase Two.
Iran Tops the Agenda
While Gaza remains a key concern, analysts note that Netanyahu is likely to focus on Iran, particularly its nuclear and missile programs, during talks with Trump.
- Israel has conducted strikes on Iranian military and nuclear sites since June, prompting retaliatory drone and missile attacks.
- The U.S. later joined Israel in targeting Iranian nuclear infrastructure during a 12-day conflict.
Experts suggest Netanyahu may be seeking to shift attention from Gaza to Iran as he navigates Israel’s upcoming election year, aiming to consolidate domestic support and maintain his political position.
