"Fingers on the trigger"; One man hinders the implementation of the agreement – They've even lost White House

White House officials believe Netanyahu is moving slowly in the peace process and fear he may continue the war with Hamas. But while the Israeli Prime Minister clashes with Trump’s team, he hopes to push the President toward a more “hawkish” stance, said a senior Israeli official.

The White House wants to present the Palestinian technocratic government and International Stabilization Forces for Gaza as soon as possible, and potentially convene a Peace Committee led by Trump at the World Economic Forum in Davos later in January, according to White House officials.

Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff and his advisor and son-in-law Jared Kushner are working with Egyptians, Qataris, and Turks to finalize these agreements and lay the groundwork for the second phase of the deal—which includes Hamas disarming and Israeli forces withdrawing.

However, Netanyahu expressed skepticism about Witkoff and Kushner’s ideas, particularly regarding Gaza’s demilitarization, during a recent meeting with Senator Lindsey Graham in Jerusalem, according to a source familiar with the situation.

Which side will Trump take?

This sets the stage for a critical meeting between Trump and Netanyahu in Florida. Without Netanyahu’s support, the peace process cannot move forward.

EPA/JIM LO SCALZO / POOL

“That’s a crucial meeting. It’s unclear whether Trump is on the same page as Witkoff and Kushner,” said a senior Israeli official.

“Bibi is trying to persuade the audience one person at a time. The question is whether Trump will side with him or with his key advisors regarding Gaza. Who knows what Trump will choose?”

Trump’s team is increasingly frustrated because Netanyahu has taken steps that undermine the fragile ceasefire and stall the peace process.

Like the Biden administration before them, Trump’s team has been negotiating with the Israelis for weeks over tactical issues, such as opening the Rafah crossing with Egypt and supplying tents to displaced Palestinians seeking winter shelter.

“These are (Vice President) J.D. Vance, (Secretary of State) Marco Rubio, Jared, Steve, Suzy Wiles (Trump’s Chief of Staff). He’s lost them. The only one left is the President, who still supports him, but even he wants to see the Gaza deal move faster than it is now,” a White House official told Axios.

Israelis complicate implementation of the agreement

A senior Israeli official confirmed the differences between Witkoff and Kushner on one side and Netanyahu on the other, noting that Rubio is much closer to the Israeli Prime Minister’s position.

“It has felt for some time as if the Israelis are having second thoughts,” said another White House official, referring to the 20-point peace plan Netanyahu had agreed to. “Implementing the Gaza agreement is already difficult, but the Israelis sometimes do things that make it even harder.”

These steps include the killing of a senior Hamas military commander responsible for attacks in which Palestinian civilians, including children, were killed—actions seen by the Trump administration as violations of the ceasefire.

“Sometimes it feels like IDF commanders on the ground are trigger-happy,” said a third White House official, referring to the Israeli Defense Forces.

A fifth meeting in the works?

Netanyahu suggested a meeting with Trump over the holidays during a phone call on December 1, according to two White House officials.

Trump responded that he would be happy to see Netanyahu take it seriously, and his team leaked that the meeting would take place at Mar-a-Lago, pressing the White House to set a date, according to the officials.

Evelyn Hockstein / AFP / Profimedia

The Trump administration wants to move forward with an aggressive reform plan for the Palestinian Authority, but it will not succeed if the Israelis continue to undermine it, White House officials say.

The administration wants Israel to take steps to curb settler violence against Palestinians, release billions of dollars in Palestinian tax revenues it is withholding, and even reach some agreement with the U.S. regarding settlement expansion.

The White House believes that Israel has enormous opportunities in the region, but the country’s international reputation has also suffered greatly after two years of war.

“We need to help them normalize relations with the United Kingdom before we help them normalize with Saudi Arabia,” said one White House official.

One of the messages that Trump and his team are expected to emphasize to Netanyahu during the meetings in Florida next week is that he should move away from war and consider how he can promote peace.

“We have laid out all the opportunities and challenges to Netanyahu. President Trump is optimistic that he can help him with all of this, but not if the current policy continues as it is,” said a White House official.