Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to meet former US President Donald Trump at the Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida on Monday evening. This marks the fifth time Netanyahu has visited Trump in the United States this year, amid escalating concerns that Israel could initiate new military offensives in the region.
Ceasefire Challenges and Regional Threats
The high-stakes discussion will centre on the fragile ceasefire in Gaza, which ended a devastating two-year war in October. While the initial phase of the truce has been largely implemented—involving an Israeli troop pullback and the release of hostages by Hamas—the path forward is fraught with difficulty. Phase two of the proposed 20-point peace plan faces immense obstacles.
Analysts warn that Israel may be preparing for new conflicts, potentially breaking the over-year-old ceasefire with Hezbollah in Lebanon or striking Iran over accusations of accelerated ballistic missile production. Gershon Baskin, a peace negotiator involved in back-channel talks, stated the timing of Netanyahu's trip is "very significant" for Gaza's future.
American Frustration and Political Stakes
Reports suggest the Trump administration is growing increasingly impatient. Senior officials are reportedly frustrated as Netanyahu has taken steps perceived to undermine the ceasefire and stall the peace process. Yossi Mekelberg, a Middle East expert at Chatham House, confirmed there are "more and more signs that the American administration is getting frustrated with Netanyahu."
For Netanyahu, domestic politics loom large. With an election due within ten months and polls showing his coalition struggling, a close public alliance with Trump is seen as crucial for shoring up his base. He is expected to seek assurances on maintaining Israel's military technological edge, especially after Trump's comments about selling advanced F-35 jets to Saudi Arabia.
Humanitarian Crisis and Next Steps
The human cost of the war remains staggering. More than 70,000 Palestinians, predominantly civilians, were killed, and nearly all of Gaza's 2.3 million residents were displaced. Harsh winter conditions have exacerbated the suffering in the territory, where infrastructure lies in ruins.
The proposed next stages of the Trump plan involve establishing an interim Palestinian authority run by technocrats and deploying an international stabilisation force. However, with Hamas re-establishing control in parts of Gaza and Israel reluctant to cede territory it now controls, progress has stalled. As both sides trade accusations of ceasefire violations, the meeting at Mar-a-Lago will be a critical test for the future stability of the Middle East.
