The leaders are set to meet at President Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida on Monday. It comes as parts of Trump's negotiating team and Netanyahu are reportedly far apart on the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal.
White House sources are criticizing Netanyahu for delaying the ceasefire process, which took effect on October 10. At the same time, a senior Israeli source says the prime minister hopes to bring Trump on board at Monday's meeting.
Netanyahu is reported to have expressed skepticism about the second phase of the plan, developed by, among others, US envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner. The main stumbling block is said to be the plan for the demilitarization of Gaza.
According to the Israeli source, it is uncertain whether Trump is standing behind his negotiators or whether he is taking Netanyahu's side.
Netanyahu is "trying to convince a one-man audience," the source said, according to Axios.
The White House is also said to want to form an international security force and a technocratic transitional government for the Gaza Strip as soon as possible. In addition, the second phase includes the disarmament of Hamas, which is labeled a terrorist organization, and a further withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
