Netanyahu and Trump Summit in Florida to Decide Final Phase of Gaza Deal
USA , Florida — December 28, 2025
Netanyahu and Trump Summit in Florida to Decide Final Phase of Gaza Deal as the Israeli Prime Minister departs today for a high-stakes meeting at Mar-a-Lago.
This visit, Netanyahu’s fifth to the United States this year, marks a critical turning point for the “Trump Peace Plan” that was initiated in October.
With the first phase of the ceasefire—involving the return of living hostages and initial prisoner swaps—largely concluded, the focus now shifts to the far more complex “Phase Two.”
The upcoming discussions between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Donald Trump are expected to define the security architecture of the post-war era, specifically regarding the disarmament of Hamas and the deployment of an International Stabilization Force (ISF).
Despite the relative calm since the October 10 truce, the agreement remains on “life support” due to deep-seated disagreements over Gaza’s future governance.
President Trump has reportedly grown “increasingly frustrated” with the slow pace of the transition, pushing for the immediate announcement of a Palestinian technocratic government.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu arrives in Florida with a firm stance against any political solution that leaves Hamas with any vestige of power, calling such an outcome a “historic mistake.”
Key Headlines:
• Florida Summit:
Netanyahu to meet Trump on December 29 at Mar-a-Lago to finalize the transition to “Phase Two” of the Gaza peace plan.
• Hamas Disarmament:
The U.S. and Israel demand the complete surrender of weapons by Hamas as a prerequisite for Israeli military withdrawal.
• International Stability Force:
Plans for a multinational peacekeeping mission (ISF) are on the table, though regional powers remain hesitant without a clear “pathway to statehood.”
• Technocratic Governance:
The Trump administration seeks to replace Hamas rule with a non-partisan Palestinian “Peace Council” to oversee reconstruction.
• Regional Security Context:
Discussions will also cover the ongoing ceasefire in Lebanon, security agreements in post-Assad Syria, and preemptive strategies against Iranian nuclear sites.
The “Board of Peace” and the ISF
At the heart of the Netanyahu-Trump meeting is the proposed “Board of Peace,” an international supervisory body that President Trump intends to establish to oversee Gaza’s reconstruction and governance.
The plan calls for an International Stabilization Force (ISF) to enter the enclave, providing security for the civilian population and ensuring that Hamas infrastructure is permanently dismantled. However, the deployment of this force has faced significant hurdles.
Regional partners, including Egypt and Jordan, have expressed concern that an international force could be perceived as a “foreign occupation” unless it is part of a broader transition toward a sovereign Palestinian state.
Netanyahu has categorically refused to discuss statehood, creating a diplomatic friction point that Trump hopes to resolve during the Florida summit.
The President is expected to argue that securing ISF contributions from Muslim-majority nations is only possible if Israel provides “credible milestones” for Palestinian self-determination.
The Stumbling Block: Disarming the Resistance
While the “Phase One” humanitarian actions have been successfully implemented, the transition to “Phase Two” hinges on the total demilitarization of the Gaza Strip.
The Trump-sponsored agreement specifies that militants who surrender their weapons will be granted amnesty and the option to leave the territory.
Hamas, however, has signaled its refusal to disarm fully, citing the continued Israeli presence in strategic corridors and the lack of a “sovereign guarantee.”
Netanyahu’s approach remains one of “maximum pressure.” Before departing for the U.S., the Prime Minister indicated that if disarmament is not achieved through the diplomatic framework provided by the Trump administration, Israel is prepared to resume “decisive force.”
This visit is therefore seen as an attempt by Netanyahu to secure a “green light” from the White House to maintain a residual military presence in Gaza if the disarmament process fails to meet Israeli security benchmarks.
Egypt’s Central Role and the “Sharm El-Sheikh” Momentum
Egypt continues to serve as the main factor in the regional coalition supporting the peace process.
Following the Sharm El-Sheikh Peace Summit in October, Cairo has been working closely with U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to bridge the gap between the warring parties.
The Egyptian government has emphasized that the success of the “Trump Peace Plan” depends on a balanced approach that includes large-scale reconstruction in Rafah and the restoration of civil-military coordination.
Egyptian leadership has played a vital role in pressuring Palestinian factions to accept the technocratic governance model.
As Netanyahu and Trump meet to discuss the “Gaza Deal,” the eyes of the region are on Cairo to see if it can facilitate the entry of the ISF. For Egypt, the primary goal remains the stability of the Red Sea and the prevention of a humanitarian collapse that would threaten its own borders.
Future Outlook: A New Chapter for 2026?
As the world prepares for the transition to 2026, the Florida summit represents the final diplomatic push of the year.
If Netanyahu and Trump can reach a consensus on the implementation of “Phase Two,” it could lead to the first meaningful withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza since the war began in 2023.
However, if the divergence between the two leaders continues to widen—particularly regarding the “pathway to statehood”—the ceasefire may remain a fragile status quo rather than a lasting peace.
The meeting is not just about Gaza; it is a broader strategic “syncing of watches” on Iran and the wider Middle East.
For Netanyahu, keeping Trump onside is essential as Israel enters an election year. For Trump, the “Gaza Deal” is the centerpiece of a foreign policy legacy he intends to finalize in his first year back in office.
