Trump and Netanyahu Set to Discuss Next Phase of Gaza Plan During Washington Talks
United States President Donald Trump is expected to press for renewed momentum on the stalled Gaza ceasefire when he meets Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington on Monday, according to officials familiar with the agenda. The talks are set to focus on the next phase of plans for Gaza as well as wider regional security concerns involving Lebanon and Iran.
Netanyahu confirmed earlier this month that Trump had invited him for discussions as Washington seeks to advance proposals for post conflict governance in Gaza. The visit will mark Netanyahu’s fifth trip to the United States this year to meet Trump, underscoring the close and frequent coordination between the two leaders amid heightened tensions across the Middle East.
Sources said Trump is likely to urge progress on efforts to stabilise Gaza following months of conflict that have left the enclave heavily damaged and its population facing severe humanitarian conditions. Previous ceasefire attempts have faltered, with negotiations repeatedly breaking down over security guarantees, prisoner exchanges and the future political administration of Gaza.
Washington is reportedly pushing a framework that would involve transitional governance for the Palestinian territory alongside the deployment of an international security force. The idea is aimed at preventing a power vacuum while longer term political arrangements are negotiated. However, the proposal faces significant challenges, including questions over who would participate in such a force and how it would operate on the ground.
Israeli officials have signalled that Netanyahu plans to raise concerns beyond Gaza, particularly the threat posed by Hezbollah along Israel’s northern border. Cross border tensions with Lebanon have escalated in recent months, raising fears of a wider regional conflict. Netanyahu is also expected to discuss Israel’s long standing concerns over Iran and its influence across the region.
Trump, who has portrayed himself as a dealmaker on international conflicts, has previously claimed he could help broker lasting arrangements in the Middle East. Allies say he sees the Gaza situation as both a humanitarian and strategic issue, with implications for US influence and regional stability. His administration is said to be keen to demonstrate progress after months of diplomatic deadlock.
The meeting comes at a sensitive moment, with pressure mounting from international partners for a clearer roadmap on Gaza’s future. European and regional actors have called for steps that combine security with political reform and reconstruction, warning that failure to address underlying issues could fuel renewed violence.
Analysts say Netanyahu’s repeated visits to Washington reflect both the urgency of the situation and Israel’s reliance on US backing as it navigates multiple security fronts. At the same time, the talks highlight the difficulty of aligning military objectives with longer term political solutions, particularly in a deeply polarised regional environment.
While expectations for a breakthrough remain cautious, both sides are expected to use the meeting to signal commitment to continued dialogue. Whether the discussions lead to tangible progress on a ceasefire or governance plan remains uncertain, but the talks are likely to shape the next phase of diplomatic efforts around Gaza and the wider Middle East.
