Gaza: Trump and Netanyahu Want to Accelerate Second Phase of Peace Plan

U.S. President Donald Trump has stated his desire to move "very quickly" towards the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire plan, following a new meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, this Monday, December 29, 2025, in Mar-a-Lago, Florida. This marks the fifth meeting between the two leaders in the United States since Donald Trump's return to the White House.

Determined to revive a process that has stalled for several weeks, Donald Trump affirmed that Gaza was among the "five major issues" discussed with his Israeli ally. The second phase of the peace plan notably includes the disarmament of Hamas, the gradual withdrawal of the Israeli army from the Gaza Strip, the establishment of a transitional Palestinian authority composed of technocrats, and the deployment of an international stabilization force.

On this point, U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated his position, stating that "there must be a disarmament of Hamas." This demand was rejected by the Palestinian Islamist movement, which again affirmed that it would not give up its weapons as long as the Israeli occupation continued.

Benjamin Netanyahu, received a few hours earlier by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Minister Pete Hegseth, praised Washington's support. "We have never had a friend like President Trump in the White House," he declared, emphasizing the strength of the Israeli-American alliance.

Beyond Gaza, the two leaders also addressed the Iranian issue.

Donald Trump again threatened Tehran with striking its nuclear facilities if Iran attempted to reconstitute its program, though he believed the Iranian regime might be willing to conclude an agreement. This warning was immediately denounced by Tehran, which spoke of "psychological" pressures and threatened Israel with more severe reprisals in the event of a new attack.

The meeting comes as Washington and several regional mediators seek to accelerate the transition to the second phase of the ceasefire in effect since October.

According to the American media Axios, the White House wishes to quickly announce the creation of a transitional Palestinian government for Gaza and is considering holding a new "peace committee" as early as January, under the aegis of Donald Trump, on the sidelines of the Davos economic forum.

Despite the optimism displayed by U.S. President Donald Trump, negotiations remain fragile. Disagreements over the disarmament of Hamas, Israel's future role in Gaza, and regional balances, particularly concerning Iran, continue to weigh on the implementation of lasting peace in the Palestinian territory.

Jean Wesley Pierre