Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to Visit US, Meet President Trump in Florida

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to depart for the United States on Sunday (December 28) and will meet US President Donald Trump in Florida the following day, according to an Israeli official.

This will mark Netanyahu’s fifth meeting with President Trump in the United States this year. The visit comes at a time when the Trump administration, along with regional mediators, is increasing pressure to move forward with the second phase of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

Earlier in mid-December, while traveling to the Mar-a-Lago resort, President Trump told reporters that Netanyahu was likely to meet him in Florida during the Christmas holiday period.

“He wants to meet with me. We haven’t officially scheduled anything yet, but he wants to meet,” Trump said at the time.

Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth reported on Wednesday that the meeting may include discussions on several key regional issues. These are expected to cover the Iran issue, potential Israel–Syria security arrangements, the ceasefire with Hezbollah in Lebanon, and the next stages of the Gaza agreement.