Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met Monday at Mar-a-Lago in Florida for what both leaders described as a “very productive” discussion, covering key regional issues including Gaza, Iran, and the West Bank.
Speaking to reporters alongside Netanyahu, Trump said he is “not concerned” about Israel’s actions in Gaza, including the pace of implementation of the second phase of the peace plan. “I’m concerned about what other people are doing or maybe aren’t doing, but I’m not concerned. They’ve lived up to the plan. They’re strong,” Trump said. He added that Israel has fulfilled the terms of the plan “100%.”
The second phase of the Gaza peace plan includes Hamas’s disarmament, the beginning of reconstruction efforts, and the establishment of post-war governance. While the United States has pressed Israel to move quickly, Israel has indicated it will not further withdraw from Gaza until Hamas is disarmed. Some White House advisers reportedly worry that Netanyahu could slow progress on this stage, though Trump did not echo those concerns publicly.
Trump also addressed Iran, warning that Tehran may be attempting to rebuild its weapons capabilities at new sites not targeted during US strikes earlier this year. “If they are, we’re going to have no choice but very quickly to eradicate that buildup,” he said, adding that Iran could face “very powerful” consequences if it resumes ballistic missile development. While Trump expressed concern about Iran’s behavior, he did not suggest that Tehran is seeking to expand its nuclear capabilities.
In addition to Gaza and Iran, Trump acknowledged ongoing differences with Netanyahu regarding the West Bank, though he emphasized that the two leaders largely share a common perspective. “We’ve had a discussion… and I wouldn’t say we agree on the West Bank 100%, but we will come to a conclusion on the West Bank,” Trump said. He declined to provide details on the points of disagreement, saying they would be announced at an “appropriate time.”
The West Bank, occupied by Israel since 1967 and home to over 3.3 million Palestinians, has seen increasing tensions amid Israeli military operations, settlement expansion, and Palestinian leadership challenges. Trump has previously stated he would not allow Israeli annexation of the territory, aligning with many Western and Arab nations’ positions on preserving the prospect of a Palestinian state.
Netanyahu praised the meeting, calling it “very, very productive” and thanking Trump for his support. “We talk about our ideas. Sometimes we have different ideas, but we work it out, and most of the time, we see eye to eye,” Netanyahu said, highlighting the collaborative nature of US-Israel discussions despite occasional differences.
The meeting underscores ongoing US efforts to manage a complex regional landscape, balancing Israel’s security concerns with broader goals of stabilizing Gaza, curbing Iran’s missile program, and addressing tensions in the West Bank.
