Trump to meet Israeli PM in Florida amid delicate Gaza ceasefire stage

President Donald Trump is set to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on December 29 at his Mar-a-Lago estate, as efforts to advance a US-brokered Gaza ceasefire face a critical juncture.

The meeting comes as Washington seeks to inject new momentum into a truce that risks stalling before entering its complex second phase, Caliber.Az reports, citing the Associated Press (AP).

Trump is expected to leverage his close ties with Netanyahu to explore ways to accelerate the peace process, amid criticism that Israel has not acted swiftly enough. 

The ceasefire, largely upheld under Trump’s initiative, has seen slowed progress recently, with both Israel and Hamas accusing each other of violations.

Disagreements have also emerged among the US, Israel, and Arab states on how to proceed.

The truce’s first phase began in October, shortly after the second anniversary of the Hamas-led attack that killed around 1,200 people in Israel. Of the 251 hostages taken during that assault, all but one have now been released, either alive or dead.

The next phase, however, is expected to be far more complicated. Trump’s 20-point plan, approved by the UN Security Council, presents an ambitious blueprint for ending Hamas’ control over Gaza.

The leaders may also touch on broader regional issues, including Iran, whose nuclear capabilities Trump claims were “completely and fully obliterated” after U.S. strikes on its nuclear facilities in June.

By Jeyhun Aghazada