US President Trump warmly welcomes Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to the White House, primarily discussing the next steps in the Gaza ceasefire. While Trump expresses skepticism about the ceasefire’s longevity, experts note that their relationship is more of a strategic partnership than a close friendship. The ongoing focus is on extending the ceasefire and improving Israeli-Saudi relations, with hopes for a diplomatic shift in the Middle East, despite existing challenges.
Today, US President Trump extends a warm welcome to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu as his first foreign guest. The primary topic of discussion: the next steps in the Gaza ceasefire. Can Trump pave the way for lasting peace in the Middle East?
When questioned by reporters on Monday about the sustainability of the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, Trump expressed cautious skepticism: ‘I can’t guarantee that peace will last,’ stated the President of the United States.
Today’s meeting is significant: Trump is hosting Netanyahu at the White House. The Israeli Prime Minister views this visit as a testament to the strength of their ‘personal friendship’ before heading to Washington. But how deep does this connection really run?
In the United States, there is an ongoing debate about who can take credit for the success of the ceasefire agreement.
Not Quite ‘Best Buds’
Middle East expert and former diplomat Dennis Ross, who has served under Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton, suggests that the two leaders are not as close as some might think. ‘I wouldn’t characterize them as ‘Best Buds’,’ he remarks. Ross highlights that there were moments of tension between Trump and Netanyahu toward the end of Trump’s first term.
He describes their relationship as a productive working arrangement: ‘Netanyahu recognizes that it’s not in his best interest to outright oppose Trump.’ Ross notes that Trump had already exerted considerable pressure on Netanyahu before taking office. ‘Without a doubt—because the framework for the Gaza agreement was in place since last May. Under Joe Biden, however, there has been little progress.’
It was only after Trump threatened action post-election and dispatched his Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, to Netanyahu that the agreement came together. ‘There was a significant ‘Trump effect.’ He played a crucial role, without question.’
While the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas is fragile, it does present opportunities, according to Ross.
Trump’s Vision for Israeli-Saudi Relations
Currently, Washington’s attention is focused on laying the groundwork for the second phase of the Gaza agreement. The plan includes extending the ceasefire for an additional six weeks, ensuring the release of all remaining hostages, and the withdrawal of Israeli troops.
From Trump’s viewpoint, these steps are essential for achieving his overarching goal: fostering closer ties between Israel and Saudi Arabia. ‘His top priority is a normalization agreement between the two nations,’ explains Ross, adding, ‘To achieve this, Trump will need to offer something to the Palestinians—not everything they desire, but certainly something.’ Moreover, according to Ross, this aligns with another of Trump’s long-term objectives: reopening negotiations with Iran.
In January, potentially transformative resolutions may emerge, significantly impacting Israel and the trajectory of the conflict.
Expert Insight: A Promising Landscape for Middle East Diplomacy
Despite the challenges ahead, Ross believes Trump finds himself in a favorable position for a diplomatic reboot in the Middle East: ‘He has inherited a landscape that offers genuine opportunities. Hezbollah in Lebanon has been notably weakened, the Assad regime in Syria is in disarray, and Iran has faced significant setbacks.’ However, Ross cautions that Israel’s military victories remain tactical. ‘The critical question is whether these can translate into strategic shifts.’
For any substantial change to occur, the Gaza agreement must hold, emphasizes the Middle East expert. As Netanyahu concludes his visit to Washington, the pivotal question for him remains: ‘What is the status of the extended ceasefire and the hostage negotiations? What are the prospects for successfully implementing the second phase of the Gaza agreement?’
This analysis was originally reported by Deutschlandfunk on February 4, 2025, at 08:50 AM.