Trump and Netanyahu Meeting at Mar-a-Lago
President Donald Trump is set to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Mar-a-Lago on Monday afternoon. The conversation will likely revolve around escalating tensions with Iran and possible further actions regarding the Gaza peace plan.
Before meeting with the president, Netanyahu is expected to sit down with Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday morning.
Dr. Dan Diker, who leads the Jerusalem Center for Security and Diplomacy, suggests that Trump has probably been pressing Netanyahu since the implementation of the peace plan. It seems the U.S. president has little patience for the lengthy timelines often associated with Middle Eastern politics, which can feel quite drawn-out compared to American standards.
Netanyahu Urges Neighbors to Join Israel Against Hamas
Diker points out that Hamas feels it has no option but to persist in controlling parts of Gaza, often escalating tensions by using its tunnel networks to launch attacks on Israel.
During his visit, Netanyahu is likely to present Israel’s serious threats from Iran, Hezbollah, and Hamas to Trump, stressing that Tehran is enhancing its military capabilities. He may also try to convince Trump to allow Israel to take decisive actions against Hamas.
Yair Lapid, leader of the Israeli opposition and a former prime minister, recently mentioned that while coordination with Trump on critical issues is crucial, controlling the situation in Gaza should be the top priority. He underscored the necessity for Israel to disarm Hamas and eliminate the threats from Gaza, which he believes requires executing Trump’s plan effectively.
Netanyahu’s Potential Strategy Against Iran
Reports indicate that during the meeting, Netanyahu might suggest a potential attack on Iran. Israel has warned the U.S. about the implications of recent missile drills conducted by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, seeing them as possible preparations for aggression. This concern was reportedly communicated by IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir to U.S. Central Command Commander Gen. Brad Cooper.
In a recent interview, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian asserted that Iran is in “total war” with the United States, Israel, and Europe, claiming enemy efforts aim to undermine the nation.
Interestingly, U.S. intelligence reportedly assesses that there is no immediate threat, while Israeli defense officials maintain that troops are on high alert.
Dr. Meir Javedanfar, an expert on Iran and the Middle East, noted that Netanyahu’s plan may focus on strikes aimed at Iran’s missile capabilities. The goal could be to fuel instability within Iran, especially considering the economic downturn the country has faced following recent conflicts.
Demilitarization of Gaza and Ongoing Efforts
Israeli Minister Orit Strzok highlighted the necessity of fully demilitarizing Gaza before any further steps could be taken. She referenced Trump’s address to the Israeli parliament, emphasizing his role in garnering global support for demilitarization and securing a UN resolution aimed at dismantling terrorist infrastructure.
Strzok expressed concern about Hamas, saying it consistently aims to harm Israel and that the IDF will not retreat until total demilitarization is achieved. She noted that a failure in negotiations would jeopardize the peace plan and affect Trump’s efforts as well.
Despite the ongoing discussions, Trump is anticipated to announce the next phase of the Gaza strategy shortly, even though Hamas has yet to return the remains of an Israeli police officer killed during recent hostilities. The remains of Ran Gviri were reportedly taken to Gaza by Hamas militants.
