US President Donald Trump on Monday said that his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Mar-a-Lago resulted in significant progress on key geopolitical issues, including the Gaza ceasefire, Iran’s nuclear ambitions, and regional security concerns.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Trump said several challenges were addressed within a short span of time.
“This is a very good group. We made a lot of progress already. We had about a five-minute meeting and settled around three difficulties,” Trump said.
The meeting came a day after Trump held talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, underscoring a busy diplomatic schedule focused on global conflict zones.
Strong Support for Netanyahu
Trump struck a supportive tone while standing alongside Netanyahu, praising his leadership and its importance to Israel’s stability.
“I feel that if you had the wrong prime minister, Israel would not exist,” Trump said, expressing strong confidence in Netanyahu’s leadership.
Over the past year, Washington has played a key role in brokering three ceasefires — between Israel and Hamas, Israel and Iran, and Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah — as Israel remains wary of renewed threats from regional adversaries.
Israel–Hamas Ceasefire Talks
Trump said the US is keen to move swiftly to the second phase of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, but stressed that disarmament remains a critical condition.
“There has to be a disarming of Hamas,” Trump said.
The ceasefire, which began in October, involved a phased Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, increased humanitarian aid, and exchanges of hostages and detainees. While large-scale fighting has reduced, sporadic violence has continued.
Israeli strikes since the ceasefire began have reportedly killed more than 400 Palestinians, while Palestinian militants have killed at least three Israeli soldiers, according to Gaza health officials.
Trump also reiterated that opening the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza would depend on Hamas returning the remains of hostages.
Israel–Iran Tensions
On Iran, Trump said he would consider supporting another swift Israeli military response if Tehran continues advancing its ballistic missile and nuclear weapons programs.
Earlier this year, Israel and Iran were involved in a nearly 12-day conflict, during which the US carried out strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. While diplomatic efforts followed, concerns remain over Iran’s activities.
Netanyahu has said Israel does not seek direct confrontation but continues to closely monitor developments and raise concerns with Washington.
Hezbollah and Lebanon Situation
Trump also referenced the US-backed ceasefire in November 2024 that ended over a year of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah. The agreement required Hezbollah to disarm in areas south of the Litani River.
While Lebanon has stated it is close to meeting the year-end deadline for disarmament, Hezbollah has resisted calls to lay down its weapons. Israel has confirmed it continues to carry out near-daily strikes aimed at preventing the group from rebuilding its military capacity.
Political Context
Former Israeli deputy national security adviser Chuck Freilich said Netanyahu is keen to avoid friction with Trump during an election year in Israel.
“Trump wants to move forward, and Netanyahu is going to have to make some compromises,” Freilich said.
