Netanyahu flies to Trump for talks on Gaza, Iran

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has flown to the United States for talks with U.S. President Donald Trump, Israel’s Kan state broadcaster reported.

According to its sources, the meeting will take place at Mar-a-Lago in Florida on December 29.

The two leaders are expected to discuss the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, as well as Turkey’s participation in international stabilization forces in the Palestinian enclave.

"Israeli sources suggest Netanyahu may seek approval for one more military operation inside Gaza before agreeing to advance the ceasefire – a final show of force to satisfy his partners before making further concessions," CNN reported.

Netanyahu and Trump are also expected to coordinate potential future strikes against Iranian missile production sites.

The news outlet added that Netanyahu will spend five days in the U.S., with additional meetings planned, including one with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The Ynet news website notes that Israel ties the transition to the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement to the return of the remains of the last hostage and to reaching agreements on disarming the radical Palestinian movement Hamas and demilitarizing Gaza.

"It seems likely he will need to hand phase 2 to Trump, so the key question is what he will get in return – US backing for another strike in Iran’s nuclear facilities, for instance, or support for military action in Lebanon," the source told CNN.