Trump & Netanyahu’s Florida Meeting: Key Highlights

US President Donald Trump met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Mar-a-Lago, Florida, to discuss the Gaza peace plan. While the leaders touched on several pressing issues — Gaza, the West Bank, and Iran — no concrete progress was announced after more than an hour of talks.

Gaza Ceasefire Stalemate The second phase of the US-brokered Gaza truce remains stuck. This stage is intended to establish an interim Palestinian administration, deploy an international stabilization force, and begin reconstruction. Trump downplayed the lack of movement, insisting Israel had honored its commitments and placing responsibility on Hamas to disarm. Hamas’s armed wing reiterated it would not surrender weapons.

Praise and Differences The meeting was filled with mutual compliments. Netanyahu hailed Trump as Israel’s greatest ally, while Trump described their ties as “extraordinary.” Netanyahu even announced Israel would award Trump its highest civilian honor — a first for a non-Israeli. Yet, Trump admitted disagreements over the West Bank, reiterating his opposition to annexation.

Netanyahu’s Pardon Controversy Trump claimed a pardon for Netanyahu, who faces corruption charges, was imminent. He suggested Israeli President Isaac Herzog had confirmed it. Herzog’s office quickly denied any such conversation, clarifying that legal procedures must be followed. Netanyahu, Israel’s first sitting prime minister on trial, has formally requested clemency, though no precedent exists for granting it during an ongoing trial.

Iran Warnings Trump reserved his strongest words for Iran, warning of severe consequences if Tehran rebuilds its missile or nuclear capabilities. He vowed to “knock them down” if necessary, while still leaving room for a potential deal. Iran denied pursuing nuclear weapons, with its leadership promising an immediate response to any aggression.

Regional Issues Talks also touched on Syria and Hezbollah. Trump expressed hope Netanyahu could work with Syria’s new leadership following Bashar al-Assad’s ouster. The meeting capped a busy diplomatic stretch for Trump, including discussions with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky and a call with Russia’s Vladimir Putin. Despite references to Gaza’s reconstruction, Trump offered few specifics, leaving the region’s future uncertain.