Trump, Netanyahu to discuss next phase of Gaza plan

New Delhi: US President Donald Trump is soon to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Mar-a-Lago Beach Club in Florida. During the meeting with Netanyahu, Trump may push for advancing the next phase of the stalled peace plan in Gaza. In addition, the talks will likely address Israel’s concerns regarding Hezbollah in Lebanon and Iran.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said earlier this month that US President Donald Trump had invited him for talks, as Washington is trying to establish an interim government and an international security force for the Gaza Strip, while Israel is showing reluctance to move forward on the matter.

According to a Reuters report, a close aide to the Israeli Prime Minister said that during the meeting with US President Trump, Netanyahu will demand that Hamas fulfill the first phase of the ceasefire before moving on to subsequent phases, which include the return of the body of the last remaining Israeli hostage in Gaza. Only then will they proceed to the next stages. Israel has not yet opened the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt, which is also a condition of Trump’s Gaza peace plan, and has said it will only do so when the body of Hadar Goldin is returned.