Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu landed in Florida on Sunday ahead of a scheduled meeting with US President Donald Trump. The meeting, which will be their sixth since Trump began his second term in January, is due to take place at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida on Monday evening.
The discussions are expected to cover several key issues: advancing Trump’s plan for the Gaza Strip, Iran’s ballistic missile program, the situation in Lebanon, and the US-Israel security assistance agreement, which needs to be finalized soon.
The most significant point of contention is likely to be Gaza, where Israel insists that reconstruction of the Strip cannot begin until Hamas fully disarms. In contrast, the US administration has already indicated that Trump’s plan will move to its second phase in January, which includes key agreements.
Trump himself has announced that the "Board of Peace," tasked with overseeing the implementation of his plan, will be established in January. The deployment of the International Stabilization Force (ISF) and the formation of a technocratic government composed of Palestinian figures to govern Gaza are also expected to be finalized in the coming weeks.
Israel is adamant about the return of the body of fallen hostage St.-Sgt.-Maj. Ran Gvili, the last remaining hostage in Gaza, before transitioning to the second phase. Netanyahu is expected to present Trump with evidence that Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad are capable of returning the body.
PM Netanyahu fully briefed on details of talks with mediators, source says
An Israeli source told The Jerusalem Post that “the prime minister is fully briefed on the details of the talks conducted by the Coordinator for the Hostages and the Missing, Brig.-Gen. (res.) Gal Hirsch, with the mediators, as well as the current situation regarding efforts to recover Ran Gvili.”
Meanwhile, the London-based newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat reported that Israel captured a Palestinian Islamic Jihad operative in Gaza City several days ago, who is linked to holding Gvili’s remains. According to the report, the operative was abducted from an area near Palestine Square in Gaza City, approximately one kilometer from the ceasefire line.
The Iranian issue is also expected to feature prominently in the talks. The prime minister is likely to share intelligence with Trump about Iran’s efforts to rebuild its ballistic missile program.
Israel seeks US approval for potential action if and when Iran crosses the red line defined by Israel as a certain number of ballistic missiles posing a significant threat. In Washington, officials believe the threat is still distant, and unlike Israel, they assess that Iran is not currently preparing a surprise attack on Israel.
Trump is also expected to urge Netanyahu to advance progress on the Syrian issue and promote the signing of a security agreement between the two countries. The prime minister is likely to respond that, contrary to some views, Turkey must not be allowed to have a presence in Syria or Gaza, as it would destabilize rather than stabilize the region.
Prior to his meeting with Trump, Netanyahu will meet with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
On Wednesday, he will meet with Evangelical leaders, and on Thursday, the prime minister and his wife will attend an event at the Shul synagogue in Miami. The event will be attended by members of Congress, leaders of the Jewish community, Miami community leaders, and students from across Miami. On Thursday afternoon, Netanyahu will depart for Israel.