Netanyahu Meets Trump in Florida as US Pushes Forward on Gaza Ceasefire Plan

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in Florida on Monday for high-level talks with former US President Donald Trump, as the United States seeks to advance the next stage of the fragile Gaza ceasefire agreement reached in October 2025. The visit, taking place at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort, marks the fifth in-person meeting between the two leaders in the US this year.

Trump Praises Netanyahu, Urges Hamas Disarmament

Trump hailed Netanyahu as a “wartime prime minister,” crediting him with guiding Israel through a “dangerous period of trauma” following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks. “Israel might not exist right now if you want to know the truth… I think if you had the wrong prime minister, Israel would not exist,” Trump said, emphasizing the stakes of strong leadership in the region.

The former US president reiterated that Hamas must disarm before moving to the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire, which includes Israel withdrawing from positions in Gaza and the deployment of an international stabilization force (ISF).

Netanyahu Signals Focus on Iran

Ahead of his meeting with Trump, Netanyahu met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Israeli officials said discussions would cover both the Gaza ceasefire and the broader regional threat posed by Iran, particularly its missile program.

“Hamas must be disarmed, Gaza demilitarized, and the danger Iran poses not only to the Middle East but also to the United States addressed,” said Israeli government spokeswoman Shosh Bedrosian.

Hamas’s armed wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, however, rejected calls to surrender its weapons, stating, “Our people are defending themselves and will not give up their weapons as long as the occupation remains.” The group also confirmed the death of its longtime spokesperson Abu Obeida, months after Israel claimed he was killed in an airstrike in Gaza in August.

Pressure Builds on Phase Two of the Ceasefire

The October ceasefire’s first phase required Hamas to release all remaining hostages and return the remains of those killed during its October 2023 assault on Israel. While the group has returned living captives and all but one set of remains, the transition to the second stage has stalled.

Under the planned second phase, Israel is to withdraw from Gaza positions, Hamas is to lay down arms, and an interim authority is to govern the Palestinian territory with ISF oversight. Both sides have accused each other of violating the ceasefire repeatedly, complicating US and regional efforts to maintain momentum.

US Frustration and Strategic Disagreements

Reports suggest that senior White House officials are increasingly frustrated with Netanyahu, viewing some of Israel’s actions as stalling the peace process. Axios reported that Trump plans to convene a Gaza “Board of Peace” at the Davos forum in January, yet implementation delays remain a concern.

Analysts note growing strategic tensions between Israel and the US over operations in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and strikes in Syria. Concerns over Iran’s ballistic missile program have also emerged, with Netanyahu reportedly seeking renewed US support for potential military action.

Sina Toossi, a researcher at Washington’s Center for International Policy, suggested that Netanyahu’s focus on Iran’s missile capabilities may serve as a new rationale for pressure on Tehran, following US claims that prior strikes neutralized Iran’s nuclear program. Iran dismissed such reports as “psychological operations,” warning that any renewed aggression would provoke severe retaliation.

Diplomatic Crossroads

Netanyahu’s Florida visit comes amid intense international diplomacy, including Trump’s meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday. The Gaza ceasefire, a signature achievement of Trump’s current administration, now faces critical tests as both sides navigate complex political and security dynamics in the Middle East.