Isreal Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is heading into Monday’s White House meeting with US President Donald Trump riding high from the joint Israeli-US assault on Iran’s nuclear facilities last month. The visit marks Netanyahu’s third this year and, for his supporters, a symbolic victory lap—though one with significant unfinished business, the New York Times reported.
Iran and the limits of “victory”
Netanyahu has hailed the attack as a major win against Israel’s chief regional rival, describing it as a “great victory over our joint enemy, Iran.” But Israeli officials and analysts have acknowledged that Iran still retains much of its nuclear infrastructure. Netanyahu is expected to press Trump for assurances on what the US response will be if Tehran is found to be rebuilding its program.
Back in April, Trump had caught Netanyahu off guard by announcing that the US was willing to enter “direct” talks with Iran—an idea Netanyahu had tried, unsuccessfully, to dissuade. This time, Netanyahu is looking for clarity on whether further Israeli military action would have American backing.
A war-weary Israeli public and political optics
The visit also serves a domestic purpose. With Israeli elections looming and Netanyahu’s corruption trial paused for the summer recess, the trip allows him to dominate headlines at home. He boarded his flight Sunday after vowing to “preserve the achievement” in Iran and meet with US lawmakers across party lines.
But the war in Gaza continues to drag on with mounting casualties and public discontent. Over 20 Israeli soldiers have died in recent weeks, and tens of thousands of Palestinians have been killed since the war began last October. The public is increasingly questioning Israel’s presence in the enclave.
Gaza cease-fire: full truce or partial pause?
The White House meeting is also expected to focus heavily on the Gaza war. Trump has recently called for a cease-fire and hostage deal, writing on social media: “MAKE THE DEAL IN GAZA. GET THE HOSTAGES BACK!!!” A draft plan currently being negotiated calls for a 60-day pause in hostilities, during which terms for a more permanent cease-fire would be discussed.
Analysts say Netanyahu could frame such an agreement as a limited deal to appease hardliners in his coalition who oppose ending the war. “I think we will see a full cease-fire disguised as a partial agreement,” said Shira Efron, director of research at the Israel Policy Forum.
The return of the Gaza “Riviera” vision
Still looming in the background is Trump’s earlier, radical proposal: forcibly depopulating Gaza and redeveloping it into a high-tech enclave dubbed “the Riviera of the Middle East.” While the idea drew condemnation from legal experts and human rights groups, some members of Netanyahu’s government remain attracted to the concept.
The cease-fire negotiations remain fragile. Hamas continues to demand a full end to the war, while rejecting Netanyahu’s current terms. Meanwhile, Israel, under pressure from Washington, has restarted indirect talks with Hamas through mediators in Qatar.
As Netanyahu prepares for what could be a defining meeting in Washington, the balance he seeks—between military strength, political survival, and diplomatic manoeuvring—remains as precarious as ever.
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