Florida: United States President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held talks in Florida to discuss the next phase of the Gaza peace plan amid continuing tensions in the Middle East.
According to officials, the meeting focused on moving forward with the second stage of the ceasefire framework that has been in place since October. While the ceasefire has largely stopped large scale fighting in Gaza, several key political and security issues remain unresolved.
President Trump said the next phase must move quickly and clearly, stressing that armed groups in Gaza must lay down their weapons. He warned that if Hamas refuses to disarm, there would be serious consequences. The US position, he said, is that lasting peace is not possible without ending armed control in Gaza.
The talks also covered wider regional concerns. Trump repeated his strong warning to Iran against restarting nuclear or missile programmes, saying the United States would not hesitate to act if Iran poses a renewed threat to regional security. Israeli concerns about militant activity in Lebanon and the broader Middle East were also discussed.
Officials familiar with the discussions said the second phase of the Gaza plan is expected to include talks on future governance, security arrangements and the possible role of international peacekeepers. However, progress has been slow as deep disagreements remain over disarmament, border controls and the administration of Gaza after the conflict.
Netanyahu described the meeting as constructive and said Israel and the United States remain closely aligned in their approach. He emphasised that Israel’s priority is long term security for its citizens while preventing Gaza from becoming a base for future attacks.
Despite strong statements from both leaders, observers say the situation on the ground remains fragile. While open warfare has paused, the path toward a stable and lasting settlement in Gaza continues to face major political and security challenges.