'Israel might not exist': Trump’s big praise for Netanyahu as Gaza ceasefire talks hit phase two

Trump hosted Netanyahu in Florida as Washington presses to move Gaza’s ceasefire into a second phase centred on Hamas disarmament and a new governance plan.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met US President Donald Trump in Florida on Monday as Washington pushed to move a fragile Gaza ceasefire into its next phase, centred on Hamas disarmament and a new governance plan for the enclave.

Trump publicly praised Netanyahu at Mar-a-Lago, calling him a “wartime prime minister,” and said Hamas must disarm before talks advance to the second phase of the plan.

What the US wants next

US officials and mediators have been trying to maintain momentum behind the ceasefire roadmap, which includes a transition to a Palestinian technocratic administration in Gaza and the deployment of an international stabilisation/security force, according to reporting on the plan and briefings around the talks.

Netanyahu is expected to argue that progress must be conditioned on Hamas meeting core security demands, including disarmament and Gaza’s demilitarisation, Israeli officials said.

Hamas rejects the key US-Israel condition

Hamas’s armed wing reiterated on Monday that it would not surrender its weapons, calling disarmament incompatible with what it describes as continued occupation.

Iran back on the table

The Florida talks also come amid renewed Israeli focus on Iran’s nuclear and missile capabilities, with reports that Netanyahu will seek tougher US action, including potential additional strikes.

The pressure point: a deal that’s holding, but not moving

US and Israeli officials have acknowledged growing concern that phase-two negotiations are slowing, with accusations of ceasefire violations and disagreement over sequencing and enforcement.

One complicating factor cited in recent reporting: Israel’s insistence that the return of the last remaining hostage’s remains should precede movement to the next stage, a demand some analysts view as a potential brake on the timeline.