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High-stakes meeting in Florida
US President Donald Trump will host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Florida on Monday for discussions expected to shape the future of Gaza and broader Middle East dynamics. The talks come as the region grapples with ongoing violence, a fragile ceasefire, and deep divisions over Palestinian statehood.
Ceasefire under strain
The meeting marks the sixth between the leaders since Trump returned to office nearly a year ago. Central to their agenda is the Gaza ceasefire, where Israel's government has diverged from US positions on key issues. While the Trump administration pushes for a January transition to a second phase-including a Palestinian technocratic government, Hamas disarmament, and Israeli troop withdrawals-critics argue Netanyahu seeks to delay progress, prioritizing Hamas's disarmament before any withdrawal.
Hamas officials have insisted disarmament must coincide with steps toward an independent Palestinian state, a prospect Netanyahu and his ministers have repeatedly rejected since the October ceasefire. The 20-point peace plan signed by both Israel and Hamas acknowledges Palestinian sovereignty, but Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz last week declared plans to build settlements in Gaza and vowed Israel would "never fully withdraw," contradicting the ceasefire's core terms.
Humanitarian crisis deepens
The talks unfold as Gaza faces a worsening humanitarian emergency. Storms have battered the territory, killing three people-including a two-month-old baby-due to exposure and collapsing structures since December 10. Hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians remain in flimsy tents, offering little protection from flooding and cold. The UN and aid groups accuse Israel of restricting access to critical supplies, while Israel maintains it is facilitating increased aid deliveries.
Violence persists despite the ceasefire. Over the past 80 days, Israeli military operations have killed at least 414 Palestinians in Gaza, according to the territory's health ministry. Israel claims its actions respond to ceasefire violations. Meanwhile, three Israeli soldiers have died in attacks blamed on Hamas, which has yet to return the body of Ran Gvili, the last deceased hostage held in Gaza.
Broader regional tensions
The leaders are also expected to address Iran's rearmament, Hezbollah's role in Lebanon, and Syria's new government. Netanyahu may seek US approval for additional strikes on Iran, which Israel accuses of rebuilding its missile capabilities after a summer conflict involving joint US-Israeli airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian this weekend declared his country in "all-out war" with Israel, the US, and Europe, accusing them of destabilizing Iran.
West Bank and international divisions
Netanyahu's agenda may include discussions on annexing the occupied West Bank, a move Trump has opposed. Israeli ministers have described recent settlement expansions as a "de facto annexation," aiming to eliminate the possibility of a Palestinian state-both actions illegal under international law. The prime minister is also slated to meet US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a vocal supporter of Israel's positions.
Another point of contention is the proposed International Stabilisation Force for Gaza, which Israel opposes Turkey joining. Few countries have volunteered for the mission, complicating US efforts to advance the ceasefire's security provisions.
Diplomatic pressure mounts
Analysts say Trump's mediation could break the current impasse, urging Netanyahu to soften his stance on key issues. However, the Israeli leader's hardline positions-including opposition to Palestinian statehood and demands for Hamas's full disarmament-suggest a challenging path ahead. With Gaza's humanitarian crisis escalating and regional tensions flaring, the Florida talks are seen as a critical test of whether the US and Israel can align on a sustainable path forward.
