Netanyahu Addresses Trump Meeting and Gaza Peace Plans

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu referred to the notion of a contentious meeting with President Trump as a “hoax” during an interview on “Special Report” on Tuesday evening.

Following a meeting at Mar-a-Lago with President Trump, Netanyahu explained the challenges ahead for the second phase of the Gaza peace agreement. He talked about these developments with Bret Baier, the Editor-in-Chief of Special Report.

Although Netanyahu recognized the difficulties in implementing this next phase, he dismissed claims of being at odds with Trump over the process.

Netanyahu highlighted Trump’s comprehensive 21-point peace plan, affirming that priorities include releasing hostages and dismantling Hamas.

“He got right to the point,” Netanyahu noted. “He said, ‘Look, just skip all the press stuff.’ We have to disarm Hamas. He just hit the nail on the head.”

When Baier mentioned Trump’s remarks about their disagreements regarding the Israeli-occupied West Bank, Netanyahu asserted that both leaders share the goal of achieving peace in the area.

“I think there’s a lot of daylight, because we both want to see a future where that territory is not used for terrorist attacks,” he said. “We’ve done a lot in that regard, and we want to build a lot of infrastructure there.”

He added that the discussions had reinforced the vital alliance between Israel and the United States.

Netanyahu expressed appreciation for Trump’s support, remarking on Israel’s standing in the region. “Israel emerged from a seven-front war as the most powerful country in the Middle East, but part of that is due to its strong alliance with President Trump,” he stated. “This is a partnership of like-minded people and leaders.”

The ongoing conflict in Gaza has resulted in devastating losses, with reports estimating tens of thousands of casualties since Hamas’s attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023. A landmark peace deal has been reached after extensive mediation by Trump administration officials.

As part of the peace agreement’s first phase, Hamas released the last surviving hostages in exchange for Israel freeing 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.

Netanyahu conveyed hope that stabilizing the Gaza government could be feasible in the new year, provided Hamas commits to disarming. “If we disarm Hamas, whether by international forces or other means, then yes, there will be a different future for Gaza,” he suggested. “Everyone understands that. I think Hamas understands that too.” He noted the real issue lies not in negotiating but in the necessity for Hamas to cease its operations, emphasizing the desires of the people living in Gaza.

After his meeting with Trump, Netanyahu announced that the former president would be awarded the Israel Prize, an honor given to non-Israeli citizens for the first time in almost eight decades.