Israel wary of US push for Gaza ceasefire phase 2 in Trump-Netanyahu talks
PALM BEACH, FLORIDA: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to push back against any US-led effort to initiate the next phase of the Gaza cease-fire when he meets President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago later on Monday, December 29, according to Israeli media reports.
The talks come amid ongoing negotiations involving regional and international stakeholders and unresolved disputes over security arrangements in Gaza.
Israeli officials are seeking firm commitments on disarmament and demilitarization before agreeing to further steps. Broader regional issues, including Iran and Ukraine, are also unfolding alongside the high-level meetings.
Israel demands security guarantees before phase two
According to multiple Israeli media outlets, Netanyahu is expected to ask Trump and senior US officials involved in Middle East diplomacy, like Special Envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, to provide explicit assurances that H**as will be disarmed and Gaza fully demilitarized before any movement toward phase two of the cease-fire plan begins.
Another unresolved issue cited in the reports is the failure to return the body of Israeli counter-ter**r police Master Sgt Ran “Rani” Gvili, who was reportedly killed during the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel.
Gvili is believed to be the last victim from that incident whose remains are still being held in Gaza.
According to Israeli outlets, Gvili’s mother and brother are traveling with Netanyahu’s delegation in Florida, and Israeli officials hope that Trump will meet with them during the visit.
Phase two of the cease-fire framework includes the establishment of an International Stabilization Force (ISF) tasked with overseeing security and policing responsibilities in Gaza.
Netanyahu is expected to question US officials on how the force would function, including its authority, composition, and operational mandate.
H**as has said that it is willing to discuss “freezing or storing” its weapons, but allegedly maintains that armed resistance remains justified as long as Israel occupies Palestinian territory.
Governance plans and parallel diplomacy
Under the proposed framework, Gaza would initially be governed by a Board of Peace chaired by Trump, with Palestinians later forming a “technocratic, apolitical” committee to manage day-to-day administration under board supervision.
The Board of Peace would oversee reconstruction efforts under a two-year, renewable United Nations mandate.
Trump and Netanyahu are also expected to discuss developments related to Iran following a report by Iran International claiming the country is developing biological and chemical weapons capable of majorly harming Israel.
Separately, Trump concluded a Monday morning call with Russian President Vladimir Putin focused on the Ukraine-Russia conflict, according to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.
“President Trump just concluded a positive call with President Putin concerning Ukraine,” Leavitt said.
The call followed Trump’s meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at Mar-a-Lago a day earlier, which ended without any announced breakthrough.
Ahead of his meeting with Trump, Netanyahu also met Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Florida, according to Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office, which released video of the two leaders greeting each other.
