Amid pressures from both political allies and its fatigued citizens, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prepared to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump, raising concerns over the fragile truce in Gaza.
The planned meeting between the United States President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday came amidst varied pressures from Netanyahu’s conservative coalition. This meeting occurs in a context where the fragile ceasefire with Hamas in Gaza stands at risk, as the Israeli government faces calls to resume full-scale hostilities.
Trump, while claiming credit for facilitating the recent hostage and ceasefire agreement, expressed skepticism regarding the longevity of peace, stating the day before, “I cannot guarantee the peace will hold.” This meeting is expected to cover a long-sought normalization deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia and discussions on Iran’s nuclear program. However, a major focus remains on the second phase of the hostage agreement.
Netanyahu’s Washington visit marks the first foreign leader’s visit during Trump’s second term, a time when Netanyahu is battling declining public support back home. He is currently embroiled in a corruption trial based on allegations of exchanging favors with media moguls and affluent associates. Netanyahu has consistently denied these accusations, claiming a witch hunt against him.
The talks with Trump include efforts for netting a broader ceasefire deal, with Netanyahu confirming ongoing indirect talks with Hamas, facilitated by Qatar. Back in Israel, he faces intense pressure from far-right coalition members to abandon the ceasefire and renew attacks in Gaza to dismantle Hamas. Prominent coalition partner Bezalel Smotrich has threatened dissolution of the government, potentially triggering early elections, should military actions not resume.
Meanwhile, Hamas warned it would not release hostages unless fighting ceases and troops withdraw fully from Gaza. The disputed second phase involves releasing remaining hostages in exchange for an undetermined number of Palestinian prisoners. Netanyahu assured commitment to defeating Hamas and liberating hostages captured during the October 7, 2023 incident.
The political dynamics at play have been further strained as Netanyahu is urged by various voices, including Mira Resnick, ex-deputy assistant secretary of state, who noted, “President Trump has limited patience for Netanyahu’s internal political issues interfering with broader objectives.” Resnick pointed towards Trump’s initial goals of maintaining a ceasefire.
Relatives of hostages, like Einav Zangauker, are proactively urging Trump’s intervention, hoping U.S. influence can anchor Netanyahu to the deal. Their endeavors come alongside broader geopolitical tensions, as Trump suggested relocating Gaza’s Palestinians to neighboring Egypt and Jordan—a proposition met with rejection by both nations alongside Saudi Arabia and other regional partners.
Despite these setbacks, Trump remains determined, leveraging U.S. aid as a potential bargaining chip, a plan seemingly supported by some hardliners in Netanyahu’s government. Shibley Telhami, an expert from the University of Maryland, noted that while this approach aligns with Netanyahu, it risks derailing normalization talks with Saudi Arabia, who demand a credible path toward a Palestinian state as part of any agreement.
Netanyahu’s agenda includes pressing Trump on taking decisive actions against Iran, buoyed by recent military successes against Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, alongside a successful operation targeting Iran’s air defenses.
Eytan Gilboa, a U.S.-Israel relations expert, highlighted the critical nature of this meeting, suggesting high stakes not just for bilateral ties but in reshaping Middle Eastern alignments.
As geopolitical stakes heighten, Trump’s meeting with Netanyahu carries substantial implications, with peace prospects in Gaza and broader Middle Eastern strategies hanging in the balance.
