The Israeli prime minister said the two would discuss the “difficult” second phase of the Gaza ceasefire, which concerns the governance of the enclave.
Published December 8, 2025
US President Donald Trump will welcome Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House on December 29, an Israeli government spokesperson said.
Monday’s announcement did not provide details of the planned talks, which the two men tentatively announced last week.
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The remarks came a day after Prime Minister Netanyahu said he would discuss phase two of the Gaza ceasefire and “opportunities for peace” in the region with President Trump.
“The prime minister will meet with President Trump on Monday, December 29, to discuss the next steps and steps and the International Stabilization Force of the ceasefire plan,” Israeli government spokesman Shosh Bedrossian said in an online briefing to reporters.
On Sunday, Prime Minister Netanyahu said the focus of the meeting would be on ensuring the implementation of “commitments” to a ceasefire plan that calls for an end to Hamas’ rule in Gaza and the demilitarization of the enclave. He added that the second phase of the ceasefire “will be even more difficult.”
A US-brokered ceasefire in Gaza has largely held in place since October 10, despite more than 590 violations by Israel. Since the start of the ceasefire, Israeli forces have killed at least 360 Palestinians in the enclave, bringing the overall death toll to more than 70,000.
The first phase of the ceasefire primarily involved the exchange of Israeli prisoners of war for Palestinians held by Israel, and Israel’s withdrawal from parts of the Gaza Strip.
The second phase of the agreement concerns postwar governance, a very thorny issue that remains largely unresolved with only a vague US roadmap.
Issues such as leadership, the future of Palestinian self-determination, and the role of international stabilizing forces remain to be decided.
The meeting also comes as Trump ramps up pressure on Netanyahu to strike a new security deal with the fledgling government of Syrian President Ahmed al-Shalah.
In a social media post last week, President Trump called on Israel to seek a “strong and real dialogue” with Syria.
Negotiations subsequently stalled due to repeated Israeli invasions and airstrikes.
The United States remained Israel’s biggest ally throughout the war, providing diplomatic support and billions of dollars in military aid.
