Trump Netanyahu Florida Meeting 2025: Negotiating a Path Through Middle East Deadlock

The handshakes are firm, but the stakes couldn't be higher. President Donald Trump is hosting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Florida today, December 29, 2025. It's their sixth meeting since Trump's return to office 11 months ago. According to Reuters, the talks arrive at a critical juncture as the region grapples with a fragile Gaza ceasefire and the specter of an escalating conflict with Iran.

Core Agendas of the Trump Netanyahu Florida Meeting 2025

The primary focus is the transition to Phase 2 of the Gaza ceasefire deal. The Trump administration is pushing for the establishment of a Palestinian technocratic government and the deployment of an international security force by January 2026. However, Netanyahu faces pressure from his own cabinet, including Defense Minister Israel Katz, who recently suggested that Israel might build settlements in Gaza and never fully withdraw, a stance that directly contradicts the 20-point peace plan signed earlier this year.

The Iran Factor and Regional Security

Beyond Gaza, the duo is expected to discuss Iran's rearmament. Following a 12-day war this summer where Israeli and U.S. jets targeted Iranian nuclear sites, Tehran has warned of an "all-out war." Netanyahu is reportedly seeking U.S. permission for preemptive strikes to prevent Iran from restoring its missile capabilities. Additionally, the controversial proposal of annexing the occupied West Bank looms large, despite Trump's previous warnings against such a move.