Trump and Netanyahu Meet at White House to Discuss Iran and Gaza

The visit of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House is a significant moment in the relationship between the United States and Israel. Netanyahu is the first foreign leader to meet with President Donald Trump since his return to the presidency, amidst a complex diplomatic and geopolitical landscape.

From the beginning, the meeting was expected to be friendly. However, the relationship between the two leaders is more complicated than it appears. Their meeting has important implications for the future of the Middle East, particularly regarding the ceasefire in Gaza, potential normalization of relations with Saudi Arabia, and tensions with Iran.

One of the most pressing issues for the leaders to discuss is the negotiation process for the second phase of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza. President Trump has taken credit for the previous agreement, which involved the exchange of hostages for a truce, and believes that his influence contributed to the pressure on Israel and Hamas. However, the president has expressed skepticism about the sustainability of the pact, stating, “I have no guarantees to stay,” which reflects the uncertainty surrounding the situation.

Steve Witkoff, the president’s envoy for the Middle East, has been deeply involved in the implementation of the agreement and has visited Gaza as part of a recognition mission. Although Witkoff is more optimistic than the president, the reality is that the process is still fragile.

In addition to the ceasefire, Trump and Netanyahu are expected to discuss the future of Gaza. The president has suggested the possibility of transferring Palestinians to Egypt and Jordan to facilitate the reconstruction of the enclave, a proposal that is likely to generate mixed reactions in the region.

Another key point of discussion is the approach to Iran. Netanyahu may use the meeting to assess Trump’s willingness to support a direct attack against Iranian nuclear facilities, particularly at a time when the regime’s “proxies” have been weakened and their nuclear program appears to be advancing quickly.

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It is worth noting that, although Trump has expressed his desire to resolve the situation without resorting to force, he has not completely ruled out the possibility of military action if diplomacy fails.

One of the significant achievements of the Trump administration during its first term was the Abraham Accords, which normalized relations between Israel and several Arab countries. Now, the possibility of an agreement with Saudi Arabia is a major goal for both the US president and the Israeli prime minister. Such an agreement would not only strengthen Israel in the region but also create a stronger bloc against Iran.

The meeting also serves as an opportunity to analyze the personal relationship between the two leaders. While Netanyahu has been a key ally of Trump, their relationship has experienced difficult times. During the Biden administration, tensions between them reached unprecedented levels, with long periods of no direct communication. Netanyahu supported Trump’s re-election and his calculation was correct. The new administration has already lifted restrictions imposed by the previous administration on the delivery of weapons to Israel, and during the visit, Netanyahu appears to have pressed for the acceleration of multimillion-dollar sales of military equipment.

However, Trump has not forgotten what he considered a “betrayal” by Netanyahu when he congratulated Biden on his victory in 2020. For years, the former president avoided contact with the Israeli prime minister and has only recently resumed their political relationship in a pragmatic way. With the Republican back in the presidency, Netanyahu seeks to ensure the support of his most powerful ally at a time of deep uncertainty for his country and the region.

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