Trump and Netanyahu May Take a Victory Lap, But Gaza War Looms

Israel-US Meeting Focused on Iran, But Palestinian Conflict Remains a Critical Obstacle

!Image of Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu shaking hands during a previous meeting. (Ideally, a recent photo.)!

Tel Aviv, Israel – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump are set to meet Monday, potentially seizing on recent joint strikes against Iran as a victory lap. However, the outwardly triumphant visit will be complicated by the 21-month war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, and questions over how much pressure Trump will exert to end the conflict.

The meeting comes after the U.S. and Israel conducted strikes on Iranian nuclear sites in response to Iran’s attacks on U.S. personnel in Iraq. While both leaders are touting the joint operation as a significant win against a shared enemy, the lingering challenges, particularly in Gaza, threaten to overshadow the moment.

Key Takeaways & Features:

* Joint Iranian Strike: The recent strikes against Iranian nuclear sites represent a significant collaboration between the U.S. and Israel.

* Gaza Conflict: Israel’s 21-month war with Hamas in Gaza remains a major obstacle to a comprehensive resolution.

* Trump’s Peacemaking Ambitions: President Trump has repeatedly expressed a desire to be a peacemaker, referencing past deals in India/Pakistan, DRC/Rwanda, and Israel/Iran.

* Hostage Negotiations: A key focus of the meeting will likely be around a potential ceasefire agreement involving a 60-day pause in fighting, aid delivery to Gaza, and the release of remaining hostages.

Trump’s approach to the situation has been marked by shifts in intensity and optimism. Following the strikes on Iran, he's expressed a desire to see a resolution in Gaza, but the situation remains fluid. Hamas, while willing to discuss a ceasefire and release hostages, refuses to disarm or surrender, demanding an end to the war and a full Israeli withdrawal.

The meeting between Trump and Netanyahu will undoubtedly be a complex dance, balancing the demands of the U.S. ally with the internal political considerations of Netanyahu’s governing coalition. As recently as April, the tone of the meetings was markedly different, with Trump using the opportunity to announce negotiations with Iran and, surprisingly, praising Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Trump’s history of shifting priorities and desire for a Nobel Peace Prize further complicates the picture.

Ultimately, ending the war in Gaza appears to be the key to unlocking Trump’s grand vision for a new Middle East, potentially including a permanent deal with Iran and the inclusion of regional powers like Saudi Arabia.

Concluding, despite the positive optics surrounding the Iran strikes, the fundamental challenges of the Gaza conflict – and the seemingly intractable positions of Hamas and Netanyahu’s coalition – will likely define the agenda of this critical meeting.