US President Donald Trump urged rapid progress toward the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire during talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Florida, as the truce remains stalled.

US President Donald Trump met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday evening at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, where the stalled transition to the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire featured prominently in their discussions.

Speaking after the meeting, Trump said he hoped the second phase of the ceasefire agreement could be reached quickly, but made clear that he believes progress depends on the disarmament of Hamas. He added that Gaza and regional developments were central to his talks with Netanyahu, while stressing his desire to accelerate the political process surrounding the ceasefire.

Trump also said that reconstruction in Gaza could begin once what he described as the “necessary understandings” are reached, and stated that the United States would do “all it can” to recover the remains of the last Israeli captive still held in the Strip.

According to the Israeli outlet Walla, members of Donald Trump’s team have grown increasingly frustrated with Netanyahu’s stalling tactics and reluctance to move to the second phase of the ceasefire in Gaza.

During their meeting today, Trump is expected to press Netanyahu to… pic.twitter.com/aDZ4spjaRe

— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) December 29, 2025

Beyond Gaza, Trump addressed Iran, saying he had received reports that Tehran was attempting to rebuild its nuclear capabilities. While warning that the US would not allow such a development, he added that Iran could still pursue diplomatic agreements. Trump also confirmed that discussions included the possible deployment of Turkish forces as part of an international stabilization force in Gaza.

From the Israeli side, officials said Netanyahu focused on what Israel describes as the second phase of the ceasefire, which it frames around the disarmament of Hamas and the demilitarization of Gaza. This interpretation remains at odds with the framework discussed by mediators and other international parties.

Ceasefire Stalled

The meeting took place amid growing US frustration over Israel’s handling of the ceasefire. According to previous reporting, senior figures in Trump’s team have expressed anger over Israel’s delays in implementing agreed humanitarian measures and advancing negotiations on the second phase.

Since the first phase of the ceasefire came into effect on October 10, Israeli forces have committed 969 violations of the agreement, killing 418 Palestinians and injuring 1,141 others, according to Gaza’s Government Media Office.

The second phase of the ceasefire is meant to include the withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces from their current positions in Gaza, the transfer of control of the Strip to a temporary authority, and the deployment of an international stabilization force. None of these steps has yet been implemented.

🚨BREAKING: Trump announces he has lobbied the president of Israel to give a full pardon to Benjamin Netanyahu and a “pardon is on its way.”

You’re looking at two disgusting criminals obsessed with evading accountability.
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— CALL TO ACTIVISM (@CalltoActivism) December 29, 2025

West Bank and Regional Issues

Trump is also understood to have raised concerns over the occupied West Bank, including ongoing settler violence and fears within Washington that continued Israeli actions could destabilize the Palestinian Authority led by Mahmoud Abbas.

The US administration has previously signaled its opposition to settlement expansion, illegal under international law, and has called for the release of Palestinian tax revenues withheld by Israel.

The meeting came as Netanyahu continues a multi-day visit to the US that includes meetings with senior officials and outreach to evangelical leaders. No joint statement or formal breakthrough was announced following the talks, and it remains unclear whether Trump’s public push for speed will translate into concrete movement on the ceasefire’s second phase.

Since October 7, 2023, Israel, backed by the US, has waged a genocidal war on Gaza, killing more than 71,200 Palestinians and injuring over 171,000. Most of Gaza’s population has been displaced, while the enclave’s infrastructure has been devastated. Israel is currently under investigation for genocide by the International Court of Justice, while senior Israeli officials, including Netanyahu, are wanted by the International Criminal Court.

(PC, AJA, Anadolu)