At a Glance
- Trump will meet Netanyahu on Monday at Mar-a-Lago to reinvigorate Gaza’s second-phase ceasefire.
- The 20-point plan approved by the UN Security Council outlines a path to end Hamas rule.
- Israel’s leader has criticized the plan, slowing progress and raising doubts about the next phase.
- Why it matters: The meeting could determine whether Gaza’s fragile truce holds or collapses.
A brief look at the current ceasefire shows that while most of the 251 hostages have been released, tensions remain high. Trump’s visit is aimed at leveraging his close ties with Netanyahu to push the stalled negotiations forward.
Trump-Netanyahu Meeting at Mar-a-Lago
The meeting is the first in-person encounter since Trump visited Israel in October to mark the ceasefire’s first phase. Trump hopes to use his relationship to pressure Israel into agreeing to the Board of Peace and the International Stabilization Force.
Key topics on the agenda include:
- Speeding up the peace process
- Iran’s nuclear program
- Potential humanitarian aid and reconstruction plans
Mona Yacoubian said:
> “This is going to be a really tall order, I think, for President Trump to get Netanyahu to agree. How he does that, what kind of pressure he puts on Netanyahu, I think, is going to be important to watch for.”
Challenges to the Second Phase
Israeli officials have been slow to vet and approve members of the Palestinian technocratic committee, and the International Stabilization Force remains unformed. The U.S. and Israel want the force to have a commanding role, while other regional and European governments fear it could become an occupation force.
| Item | Status | Issue |
|---|---|---|
| Palestinian committee | Vetting pending | Time-consuming approvals |
| International Stabilization Force | Unformed | Mandate disagreement |
| Gaza reconstruction | Planned | Funding and logistics |
The discussion also touches on the possibility of a “buy-back” program for Hamas weapons, echoing proposals by Steve Witkoff.
Key Takeaways
- The meeting could revive Gaza’s fragile ceasefire.
- Israel’s objections and slow approvals threaten the second phase.
- Regional powers remain wary of a multinational security force.
The outcome of Trump’s visit will shape the next steps toward a lasting peace in Gaza and the broader Middle East.
