Prime Minister Netanyahu Departs for U.S. Visit, Set to Meet President Trump at Mar-a-Lago

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu departed Israel on Sunday morning for a diplomatic visit to the United States, where he is expected to meet President Donald Trump at the president’s Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida. The visit is aimed at coordinating expectations with the Trump administration for 2026, with a focus on advancing the hostage issue and presenting a united front against Iran.

At the center of the talks will be discussions on the “day-after” plan in Gaza, including proposals for an international policing mechanism and a move toward the decisive phase of a hostage deal. Netanyahu is also expected to raise the case of the remaining hostage, Ran Gueili.

Netanyahu is scheduled to land in Florida at around 9:00 p.m. Israel time. He will meet U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio at his hotel at 9:00 p.m., ahead of his meeting with Trump, which is set for Monday at 10:00 p.m. Israel time.

Limited Media Access at Mar-a-Lago

Due to the nature of the Mar-a-Lago estate and space constraints, media access to the meeting will be extremely limited. Only a small number of journalists are expected to be allowed into the brief photo opportunity preceding the talks, and no press questions are anticipated.

Experience suggests questions are unlikely to be permitted during Netanyahu appearances, while Trump’s approach remains unpredictable. The late hour and restricted format are also expected to limit press engagement.

This marks Netanyahu’s fifth visit to the United States since Trump began his second term in January last year. While public statements have emphasized cordial relations, senior officials acknowledge that substantive disagreements persist behind the scenes.

Iran, Gaza and Regional Stability on the Agenda

On the regional front, Netanyahu is expected to press for increased economic and military pressure on Tehran. In Jerusalem, Iran’s expanding ballistic missile program is viewed as an immediate and growing threat, alongside concerns over renewed Iranian support for regional proxies.

The White House, meanwhile, is seeking to preserve relative calm in Lebanon and Syria under U.S. guarantees, while pushing for progress toward phase two of a Gaza agreement. According to U.S. officials, the administration is promoting the rapid establishment of a peace council, followed by a technocratic Palestinian governing body composed of Palestinians operating outside Gaza — including figures from Judea and Samaria and the diaspora — and later an international stabilization force.

Netanyahu is expected to present Israel’s red lines regarding these proposals, including firm opposition to any Turkish role in a future stabilization force.

Lebanon and Hezbollah Expected to Be Discussed

The issue of Hezbollah’s disarmament is also expected to feature prominently in the talks. U.S. sources say the Lebanese government has taken significant steps in this direction, while Israel continues military activity in Lebanon.

American officials have expressed concern that civilian casualties could undermine efforts to stabilize the border and prevent escalation. Trump has previously warned that if Hezbollah “causes problems,” it would face not only Israel but also other countries. At the same time, Washington is seeking to encourage Israel to consider economic incentives for Lebanon, viewing economic recovery as a pathway to sustained calm.

Iran in Focus: JINSA Assessment

Ahead of the visit, the Jewish Institute for National Security of America (JINSA) published a position paper highlighting Iran’s renewed military activity following the 12-Day War. According to the assessment, Netanyahu is expected to emphasize Iran’s accelerating ballistic missile development and the revival of support for regional proxies — moves he believes threaten both Israeli and American interests.

Jonathan Ruhe, a senior researcher at JINSA, said that while Trump has emphasized stabilizing and rebuilding Gaza, Iran remains the most urgent challenge to his broader regional vision. Ruhe noted growing Israeli concern over renewed activity at Iranian enrichment-related sites and reported efforts to restrict international inspections.

He added that Netanyahu is also expected to stress the ballistic missile threat posed by Iran to both Israeli and U.S. targets — a key factor, he said, behind Israel’s military action in June — as well as Tehran’s renewed backing of regional actors, which could undermine U.S.-supported ceasefires.

Public Events and Return to Israel

No public events involving Netanyahu have been announced for Tuesday. On Wednesday evening, at 5:30 p.m. Israel time, he is scheduled to meet with evangelical leaders at his hotel. Later that night, at 11:00 p.m. Israel time, Netanyahu and his wife are expected to attend an event at the Shul synagogue in Miami, alongside members of Congress, Jewish community leaders and local students.

Netanyahu is scheduled to depart the United States on Thursday at noon local time and return to Israel ahead of the start of Shabbat.