Netanyahu said on Monday that the Iranian issue was not at the top of the agenda for his forthcoming meeting with Trump, a statement intended to lower media expectations. However, Israeli and American officials say Iran remains the substantive focus of the talks.
The US and Israel are closely monitoring Iran's efforts to rehabilitate its ballistic missile systems, air defense capabilities and nuclear program. There is close coordination and intelligence sharing between the two countries, including broad agreement on the need to thwart Tehran's attempts at rebuilding these capabilities. During the meeting in Florida, Israel is expected to present the intelligence dossier it has compiled, along with assessments of the pace of Iran's recovery.
From Israel's perspective, one of the key goals of the meeting is to secure US recognition that as long as the current regime remains in power in Iran, it will continue to operate terrorist organizations throughout the region, fuel conflicts and undermine Washington's broader Middle East vision, known as the "mega deal."
Israel Hayom has learned that former minister Ron Dermer assisted in preparations for the meeting, particularly on the Iranian issue. Dermer previously oversaw the Iran portfolio and was a central architect of cooperation with the US that culminated in American backing for Israel during the war and US participation in the strike on the Fordow nuclear facility.
The Israeli delegation is expected to include Gil Reich, acting head of the National Security Council, who has recently grown very close to Netanyahu; Ofir Falk, the prime minister's foreign policy adviser; Maj. Gen. Roman Gofman, the prime minister's military secretary; and Israel's ambassador to Washington, Yechiel Leiter.
A second major topic on the agenda is Gaza and the transition to the next Phase. The Americans have been unable to assemble a multinational force due to countries' refusal to deploy troops while Hamas remains armed. As a result, Washington is turning its attention to the civilian track. The expectation is that following the meeting or meetings, an announcement will be made on the launch of a reconstruction process through the establishment of a new governing civilian body, largely composed of Palestinians who previously worked for the Palestinian Authority. Israel Hayom has reported that lists of some of the candidates expected to assume civilian authority have been transferred to Israel for security vetting, to ensure they are not affiliated with Hamas.
Meanwhile, US officials were angered by Defense Minister Israel Katz's statement about establishing Nahal outposts in the Gaza Strip. A stern message was conveyed to Israel, and Katz subsequently walked back the comment. An American official sent a message immediately after the remark was published, writing simply: "WTF?"
According to the official, Israel must adhere to every detail of the Trump plan to which it agreed, in order to preserve prospects for political progress in the region and, above all, to maintain trust between Jerusalem and Washington. An Israeli source added that what he described as Katz's "slip of the tongue," made in the midst of preparations for Netanyahu's visit to the US, was extremely problematic. Israel, he said, made clear to the Americans that the defense minister had corrected his remarks and that Israel remains committed to the Trump plan.
