Israeli PM heads to US for talks with President Trump

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has departed for a visit to the United States, where he is set to hold talks with U.S. President Donald Trump, Israel’s state broadcaster Kan reported.

According to Kan, the meeting between the two leaders is scheduled to take place on December 29 at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.

Netanyahu is expected to discuss the transition to the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, as well as Türkiye’s potential involvement in the International Stabilization Force for the Palestinian enclave. 

He also plans to raise the issue of Iran and coordinate with Trump on a possible future strike against facilities linked to missile production in Iran, Kan said.

The Israeli prime minister is expected to remain in the United States for five days and hold additional meetings during the visit, including talks with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Meanwhile, Ynet reported that Israel is linking the move to the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement to the return of the remains of the last hostage, as well as to reaching agreements on the disarmament of the Palestinian militant group Hamas and the demilitarisation of Gaza.

By Khagan Isayev