US President Donald Trump is set to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday, as the two leaders address the future of the Gaza ceasefire and ways to counter Iran. This meeting comes at a critical juncture for the Middle East, with the Gaza truce fragile and concerns about Iran’s nuclear ambitions persisting.
Netanyahu, the first foreign leader to be hosted by Trump since his inauguration, will try to turn the page on sometimes tense relations with the Biden White House. However, Trump’s policy goals for the Middle East may not always coincide with Netanyahu’s interests, putting pressure on the Israeli prime minister.
The region is at a critical juncture, with indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas set to resume this week on the second stage of the ceasefire deal and hostage release. The two leaders are expected to hold a joint press conference.
Trump has said he hopes to renew an effort toward historic normalization of relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia, but Netanyahu’s steadfast opposition to any move towards a Palestinian state could be an obstacle to this goal.
The visit offers Netanyahu a chance to burnish his diplomatic credentials in Washington, which has come out strongly against the International Criminal Court. Pro-Palestinian activists plan separate protests to coincide with Netanyahu’s visit to Washington.
High on the agenda will be Iran, which last year launched hundreds of missiles and drones against Israel, drawing Israeli retaliation that was said to have crippled Tehran’s air defenses. Concerns have grown in Iran that the new president might give Netanyahu the go-ahead to hit its nuclear sites.
The meeting between Trump and Netanyahu comes as the US seeks to create a bulwark against Iran in the region. However, the outcome of these talks is uncertain, with no assurances given by Trump or his envoy on whether the Gaza ceasefire will hold.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/trump-netanyahu-set-pivotal-talks-middle-east-agenda-2025-02-04