Netanyahu to Meet Trump Amid Regional Security Concerns and Political Calculations
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to meet former US President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago, Florida, marking his fifth visit to the US this year. The talks come amid growing fears that Israel could launch new offensives against Hezbollah in Lebanon or Iran, potentially destabilizing the region.
In Gaza, Trump’s 20-point peace plan has seen Phase 1 largely completed, while Phase 2 remains contentious as Israel and Hamas struggle to implement it. US officials have expressed frustration over Netanyahu’s actions, which are seen as undermining the ceasefire and stalling the peace process. An announcement expected in January on interim governance for Gaza envisages a nonaligned Palestinian technocratic authority to govern, supported by thousands of troops from an international stabilization force.
Netanyahu aims to persuade Trump to allow Israel to take action to prevent Iran from repairing its nuclear program or rebuilding ballistic missiles, in order to maintain Israel’s military edge. With Israeli elections looming in about 10 months and polls indicating potential difficulties in forming a coalition government, Netanyahu is seeking to strengthen his close alliance with Trump as a strategic and political advantage.
