Trump to Meet Netanyahu for the Fifth Time

Donald Trump, the President of the United States, is set to meet with Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, on Monday at his residence in Florida. This will be the fifth time this year that Trump hosts the Israeli leader for discussions. Netanyahu, who arrived in Florida on Sunday, met with Marco Rubio, the Secretary of State, on Monday morning before his talks with Trump at Mar-a-Lago. Shosh Bedrosian, Netanyahu's spokesperson, stated in a video released on social media as the Prime Minister was preparing to leave Israel, that Netanyahu will discuss the second phase of the President's Gaza peace plan during this meeting. This plan, presented in September, entered its first phase the following month, which ended a two-year war in the Palestinian territories with a ceasefire. This war had begun after the terrorist group Hamas attacked Israel in 2023. Bedrosian mentioned that Netanyahu will address the requirements of the second phase of the plan, which includes disarming Hamas and demilitarizing Gaza, as well as the requirements of the third phase, which involves 'removing extremism' from the people of Gaza. He added that Netanyahu will also emphasize the importance of returning the body of the last remaining Israeli hostage in Gaza, Ron Guily, an Israeli police officer, a matter that Hamas is obligated to address according to the first phase of the agreement. Caroline Levitt, the White House press secretary, stated in a press conference on December 11 that the Trump administration is pursuing this issue. Netanyahu shared a message on the X platform, posting pictures of his meeting with Guily's parents in Florida after his arrival on Sunday. He wrote that he told them Israel 'is doing everything it can and will continue to do so to bring Ron home, to a burial place in Israel, as befits an Israeli hero. This is a moral, national, and humanitarian commitment. We will not rest until this mission is fully accomplished.' Trump, during a Hanukkah reception at the White House on December 16, stated that his Gaza peace plan, which has garnered support from Israel and major Arab and Islamic countries, has brought 'real peace' to the Middle East. He added, 'If Hamas engages in any further activities, they will know they will face serious trouble.' A day earlier, Trump responded to a reporter's question about the Israeli leader, saying, 'My relationship with Bibi Netanyahu has clearly been a very good one.' He added, 'We have had very good relations with Israel. In fact, we have very good relations with almost all the countries in the Middle East.'