Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to embark on a two-day trip to Washington on Monday, where he will meet with U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday. This visit is anticipated to be a pivotal moment in the ongoing conflict in Gaza, the future of Israeli military presence in Syria and Lebanon, and the evolving relationship between Washington and Tel Aviv following the recent military confrontation with Iran.

This visit marks Netanyahu's sixth since Trump returned to the presidency a year and a half ago, occurring at a time when the U.S. administration is actively seeking to manage the repercussions of the war with Iran, bring an end to the conflict in Gaza, and reduce tensions along the Lebanese front. Meanwhile, Israel is adamant about maintaining its military presence in regions it deems essential for its security.

Key Agenda Items for the Visit

According to various Israeli and international media reports, several critical issues are expected to dominate the agenda of this visit, including:

  • The War in Gaza: Discussions will focus on efforts to achieve a ceasefire, as well as the U.S. administration's plans to transition to a post-war phase and reorganize security and administrative conditions in the Gaza Strip.
  • International Stabilization Force: A conversation about deploying an international force in Gaza is anticipated, following the Israeli security cabinet's approval of the legal framework for its entry.
  • Israeli Withdrawal: Expect a discussion surrounding the disagreements between Washington and Tel Aviv regarding the withdrawal from areas in Gaza, Syria, and Lebanon, amidst Netanyahu’s insistence on retaining Israeli military presence in these territories.
  • The Iranian File: The two sides are likely to address the implications of the recent conflict with Iran and the level of political and security coordination between Washington and Tel Aviv going forward.

An Israeli official announced that the security cabinet approved a legal framework allowing for the entry of an "international stabilization force" into Gaza. This force, expected to comprise around 200 personnel from friendly nations, including Morocco and Uganda, will operate in areas not under Israeli control, with each unit's deployment requiring Israeli approval.

This initiative is part of a broader American strategy to reorganize security and administrative conditions in the Gaza Strip concurrently with efforts to halt hostilities and initiate a transitional phase leading to new governance arrangements for Gaza. However, this approach is not without disputes between Washington and Tel Aviv. Reports from Channel 13 in Israel indicate that Netanyahu has informed his ministers of his intention to reject any U.S. demands for withdrawal from Israeli-controlled areas in Gaza, Syria, and Lebanon, asserting that he will communicate his refusal to concede any ground during his upcoming meeting with Trump.

Netanyahu reportedly stated, "The Americans are asking me for a series of withdrawals from Gaza, Syria, and Lebanon, and I will stand before them and say no." This stance comes in light of reports suggesting that Trump, during a phone call in July, requested a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Syria and Lebanon to avoid escalating regional tensions, while also pushing ahead with his Gaza plan, which includes a phased withdrawal of the Israeli army alongside the deployment of an international force and disarmament of Palestinian resistance, even as Israel currently controls about 70% of the Gaza Strip.

Additionally, Trump has previously expressed his frustration with Netanyahu during a past phone call, wherein he criticized and insulted the Israeli Prime Minister for his insistence on expanding military operations in Lebanon.

Domestic Political Context and Symbolic Significance

Beyond regional issues, this visit also carries a domestic political dimension within the United States, as debates surrounding the war in Gaza intensify and the traditional consensus supporting Israel begins to wane in certain American circles. In an interview with Fox News, Netanyahu criticized New York Mayor Zahran Mamdani after the latter labeled him a war criminal, warning of a decline in bipartisan support for Israel and an increase in manifestations of antisemitism in the U.S., while underscoring the importance of sustaining the strategic partnership between the two nations.

Netanyahu has announced his intention to be in New York in September to deliver a speech at the annual United Nations gathering of world leaders, despite the mayor's insinuations that he is unwelcome. Moreover, the visit holds symbolic weight as Netanyahu is expected to participate in the funeral of the late Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a prominent supporter of Israel in Congress, before heading to the White House for discussions with Trump.

The Prime Minister's office confirmed that this visit was made at the official invitation of the U.S. President, marking Netanyahu’s first trip to Washington since the conflict with Iran, which was previously postponed due to the rescheduling of the funeral.

Overall, the implications of this visit are likely to outline the contours of the forthcoming phase regarding Gaza, Iran, and the Israeli military presence in the region, amidst Washington's efforts to reduce tensions, juxtaposed against Netanyahu's government's commitment to maintaining its strategic gains.

As reported by aljazeera.net.