Dr. Bilal Al-Shobaki: The main theme of the Trump-Netanyahu meeting is to reduce the pace of military escalation and increase escalation in the event of political conflict

Akram Atallah: Netanyahu-Trump meeting is dangerous due to its potential impact on the future of the Palestinian cause and redrawing the map of regional alliances

Muhammad Abu Allan Daraghmeh: Ambiguity surrounds the fate of the region between escalation and calm after the expected meeting between Trump and Netanyahu, given the complexities of the regional scene

Dr. Qusay Hamed: Netanyahu will bring internal and external pressures to the White House, and his meeting with Trump aims to shape the new shape of the region

Awni Al-Mashni: Trump will try in one way or another to impose his position on Netanyahu in light of the strong American desire to end wars in the Middle East

Yasser Manna: Netanyahu may seek a more flexible US position that allows Israel “freedom of military action” inside Gaza even after the war stops

All eyes are on the upcoming meeting between US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tomorrow, Tuesday, as a pivotal meeting in determining the course of regional events, especially fears that Netanyahu will return to ignite the war in the Gaza Strip and thwart the ceasefire.

In separate interviews with “I”, writers, political analysts, specialists and university professors expect that this meeting, with all its complexities, is a decisive step in redrawing the map of regional alliances and determining the future of the Palestinian cause.

They believe that the meeting will focus on reducing the pace of direct military escalation, while increasing political and economic pressure on the Palestinians, especially in the Gaza Strip, where efforts will focus on using non-military pressure tools, such as managing the flow of humanitarian aid and reconstruction, as a means of influencing the management of the Strip, but they warn that Netanyahu will convince Trump to ignite the war on Gaza again.

They point out that in the West Bank, there appears to be an American “green light” to continue Israeli operations, which are more settlement and political in nature than purely military, with the aim of imposing new facts on the ground, reflecting an Israeli strategy to strengthen control over the region.

On the regional level, writers, analysts, specialists and university professors explain that the meeting will raise sensitive issues, such as: Iranian threats and the issue of normalization with some Arab countries, especially Saudi Arabia, in addition to the issue of displacing the residents of Gaza.

Pressure on the Palestinians will take many forms.

Dr. Bilal Al-Shoubaki, a professor of political science at Hebron University, expects that the upcoming meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump will have the broad title of “reducing the pace of military escalation while increasing escalation in the event of political conflict.”

Al-Shoubaki points out that pressure on the Palestinians will take many forms, not necessarily military, especially in the Gaza Strip, where efforts will focus on political, economic and security aspects.

Al-Shoubaki explains that the nature of the escalation will differ according to the geographical area. While efforts will be made to reduce tensions on fronts such as Gaza and Lebanon, the focus will be on the West Bank, where there appears to be an American “green light” to continue Israeli operations there.

These operations, according to Al-Shobaki, are not of a purely military nature, but rather an attempt to impose new facts on the ground through operations of a settlement and political nature.

In the Gaza Strip, Al-Shobaki expects the escalation to take a different form, as the US administration will use political and economic pressure tools instead of military ones.

Among these tools, according to Al-Shoubaki, is managing the flow of humanitarian aid and reconstruction, which are major pressure points through which those in charge of managing the sector can be influenced, regardless of their political identity.

He points out that endless American support for Israel may strengthen its negotiating position and force it to adopt a more political and investment-oriented approach to dealing with the Palestinian issue, rather than relying on military solutions.

Al-Shoubaki believes that changing the leadership of the Israeli negotiating delegation in the second phase of the deal, from Mossad to other parties, indicates that Israel has begun to deal with the Palestinian issue with the logic of political investment more than seeking to achieve military and security goals. However, voices inside Israel are still rising to resume the war on the Gaza Strip, which makes the scene complex and unclear.

Agenda of the upcoming meeting

As for the agenda of the meeting between Trump and Netanyahu, Al-Shoubaki believes that it will include several main points, namely: strengthening the Israeli negotiating position in the second and third stages of the current deal, discussing regional threats, especially from Iran, agreeing on a way to deal with the Iranian regime, giving Israel the green light to continue expansion and annexation in the West Bank, including Jerusalem, establishing new facts in Syria and Lebanon, and raising the issue of normalization in the region clearly.

Al-Shoubaki points out that there is a new file that will be raised during the meeting, which is the issue of displacement from the Gaza Strip, which is the idea that Trump is promoting, as this issue overlaps with the positions of countries such as Egypt and Jordan, which have so far rejected this idea.

Al-Shoubaki points out that this step may spark a popular movement in these countries, especially in Egypt, where signs of a popular movement against these proposals have begun to appear.

Al-Shoubaki believes that the meeting between Trump and Netanyahu will be pivotal in determining the course of events in the region, as Trump will try to balance his support for Israel with his desire to ease tensions, while Netanyahu will seek to strengthen his negotiating position and achieve political and security gains. However, the scene remains complex and unclear, especially in light of the rapid regional developments.

Deep political implications that reflect the strength of the relationship between the two parties

Writer and political analyst Akram Atallah believes that the upcoming meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump carries deep political implications that reflect the strength of the relationship between the two parties.

Atallah points out that the nature of the invitation that Trump extended to Netanyahu, saying that he was “honored to receive the first foreign leader,” carries important protocol implications in American politics, reflecting the special nature of the relationship between the two leaders.

Atallah believes that the danger of this meeting lies in its sensitive timing, especially in light of the deteriorating conditions in the Gaza Strip.

He expressed his fear that Netanyahu would be able to convince Trump of his ultimate vision for the future of Gaza, which is summed up in the project of forced displacement of the Strip’s residents.

According to Atallah, this project has the support of extreme right-wing forces within the Israeli government that agree with Netanyahu on this option, as he is one of its most prominent promoters.

Atallah believes that the agenda of the meeting between Netanyahu and Trump will include discussing the Hamas file, with a focus on ways to remove it from the Gaza Strip, whether through peaceful means or through military escalation. This scenario raises the possibility of a renewed war on the Strip, especially if Netanyahu is able to convince Trump of the need to continue with this approach.

On the regional level, Atallah confirms the existence of an American-Israeli consensus on re-engineering the region in line with Israeli interests.

Atallah points out that Israel, with the support of the United States, has succeeded in creating a favorable regional environment that it now seeks to exploit to enhance its regional presence, which may include pushing new Arab countries towards normalization with Israel.

Atallah describes the meeting between Netanyahu and Trump as perhaps one of the most dangerous meetings that will bring together two American and Israeli leaders, given its potential impact on the future of the Palestinian cause and the redrawing of the map of regional alliances.

Escalation in the West Bank may be a prelude to its reoccupation

The writer and expert on Israeli affairs, Muhammad Abu Allan Daraghmeh, believes that the direction in which events in the region are heading, whether towards calm or escalation after the Trump-Netanyahu meeting, is unknown, given the complexities of the regional scene, which includes several arenas, including Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, and the newly occupied Syrian territories, as each arena carries its own data, which makes the general scene intertwined and unclear.

In the West Bank, Draghmeh believes that things are heading towards further Israeli escalation, as areas such as Tubas, Jenin, Tulkarm and Nablus are witnessing repeated military operations and raids by the occupation forces.

These operations, according to Draghmeh, may be a prelude to a complete reoccupation of the West Bank in one form or another, especially in light of the international silence and the lack of sufficient pressure to stop these actions.

As for the Gaza Strip, Draghmeh explains that matters are linked to the seriousness of Trump in his quest to stop the war, as Trump may seek to stop the war for two main reasons: the first is to return the Israeli prisoners held in Gaza, and the second is to implement his new vision that calls for the displacement of the residents of the Gaza Strip to countries such as Jordan, Egypt, Indonesia and Albania, under the pretext of rebuilding the Strip.

He explains that Trump wants to help Netanyahu achieve the declared war goals of eliminating Hamas's military and political capabilities and returning the Israeli prisoners.

According to Draghmeh, a complete cessation of the war, if it happens, will have major repercussions on Israeli internal affairs, as it could lead to the fall of Netanyahu's government if the latter decides to agree to a cessation of the war.

Draghmeh explains that Netanyahu's government will have two options if the war stops: either go to early elections, or change the composition of the current government to pass the prisoner exchange deal and then go to elections.

However, Draghmeh explains that the most likely option is to go to early elections, unless the Israeli opposition agrees to join the government until the elections scheduled for October 2026.

Things are moving towards a solution in Lebanon

In Lebanon, Draghmeh believes that things are heading towards a solution, as there are no indications of a major escalation at the present time. As for Syria, the Israeli occupation of Syrian territory does not seem to raise major objections from the current Syrian regime, the US administration, or the Arab countries, which means that the situation will remain as it is.

As for the agenda of the Trump-Netanyahu meeting, Draghmeh indicates that it will be long and complex, as the two parties will try to shape the Middle East in the coming period. Among the main topics that will be discussed are: the prisoner exchange deal and the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, the Iranian file and whether an agreement will be reached with Iran or a joint military strike will be resorted to, the issue of normalization between Israel and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the expansion of the Abraham Accords, American arms shipments to Israel, and the issue of Israeli annexation of the West Bank.

Draghmeh believes that the issue of displacing the residents of the Gaza Strip will also be on the agenda, especially in light of the American promotion of this idea.

He points out that Israeli policy in the West Bank, including military operations, raids, killings and arrests, will not be on Trump's agenda, which means that this issue will remain outside the main discussions.

Draghmeh points out that this meeting is one of the most important meetings in the current period, as Netanyahu will be the first foreign leader that Trump will receive in the White House.

Draghmeh believes that Trump’s invitation to another leader after Netanyahu, whether it is the Saudi king, the Jordanian king, the Egyptian president, or the Emir of Qatar, will be an indication of American priorities in regional policy during the coming period.

4 main files to agree on the form of regional change

Professor of Political Science at Al-Quds Open University, Dr. Qusay Hamed, confirms that the upcoming meeting between Trump and Netanyahu, scheduled for tomorrow, Tuesday, will focus on four main files that will be the focus of discussion between the two parties, aiming to agree on the form of regional change.

Hamed points out that Netanyahu will bring with him to Washington internal and external pressures, which makes this meeting pivotal in determining the course of regional events, especially with regard to the Gaza Strip and normalization with Saudi Arabia.

According to Hamed, the war on the Gaza Strip is the most important file that will be discussed, especially since there is a difference in viewpoints between the two presidents. Trump wants to end the war in Gaza, not for humanitarian reasons, but to achieve his broader regional project, which begins with normalization with Saudi Arabia, while Netanyahu is trying to convince him of the necessity of continuing the war on the Strip, even if it is not necessarily in the same form as it was in the past.

Hamed points out that Netanyahu wants to decide the “day after” in Gaza, ensuring that Hamas does not return to power, determining the mechanism for managing the Strip after the war, and that the Palestinian Authority in its “current form” has no role in managing Gaza.

The second file, according to Hamed, is launching a military strike against Iran, as Netanyahu will try to convince Trump of the necessity of taking military measures against Iran, especially in light of the escalating tensions in the region.

He believes that this file will be pivotal in strengthening the Israeli-American alliance, especially in the face of growing Iranian influence.

Hamed points out that the third file that Netanyahu will raise is the file of normalization with Saudi Arabia, as Netanyahu realizes that the main focus of the Trump administration is to move quickly towards normalizing relations with Saudi Arabia, which the Americans consider to be the key to regional change, weakening Hamas, and eliminating the Iranian nuclear project.

Regarding the fourth file, Hamed points out that Netanyahu will bring with him to Washington great internal pressure, especially in light of the threats of the Israeli Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich, to bring down the government if Netanyahu agrees to go to the second stage of the agreement with Hamas and end the war on the Gaza Strip. It is not unlikely that Netanyahu will seek guarantees of personal intervention from Trump to prevent the downfall of his government in light of the threats to end his political future.

Hamed expects Trump to make several promises to Netanyahu, including facilitating the annexation process in the West Bank, undermining Hamas’ rule, and ensuring that it does not return to power in Gaza. Trump may also make promises to personally intervene to preserve Netanyahu’s government coalition, especially in light of the internal pressures he is facing.

He stresses that the importance of this meeting lies in its timing, as it comes before Trump's expected visit to Saudi Arabia, which will be preceded by a meeting with Jordanian King Abdullah.

Hamed believes that these meetings will determine the course of events in the region, Gaza, and normalization with Israel, while stressing that Netanyahu will try to maneuver between internal and external pressures to achieve his goals.

Exceptional importance of the visit at a very sensitive time

Writer and political analyst Awni Al-Mashni explains that the visit of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the United States to meet with Trump tomorrow, Tuesday, is of exceptional importance, as the visit comes at a very sensitive time for both Washington and Tel Aviv, as the United States is trying to reshape the political scene in the region, while Israel faces a critical crossroads in its domestic and foreign policies.

According to Al-Mashni, from the American point of view, the visit is part of the efforts of the administration of President Donald Trump to reshape events in the Middle East, in line with Trump’s promises to end wars in the region. According to Al-Mashni, Trump seeks to consolidate the ceasefire on both the Lebanese front and in the Gaza Strip, and to transform the current truce into a permanent ceasefire. This step comes within the framework of Trump’s clear policy aimed at reducing conflicts in the region, which contradicts the desires of Netanyahu, who is facing great domestic pressure.

Al-Mashni stresses that the visit is of utmost importance to Israel, which is facing a complex situation on more than one level. On the domestic front, Netanyahu is facing a severe political crisis, as opinion polls indicate a decline in his popularity and that of his Likud party in the Israeli political scene. The image conveyed by the media about the war in the Gaza Strip, which depicts Hamas as the victorious party and the Israeli army as the defeated party, is increasing the pressure on Netanyahu, who is seeking to change this image in any way possible.

Al-Mashni believes that Netanyahu's visit to Washington carries somewhat contradictory goals. While the relationship between Trump and Netanyahu appears to be a strong alliance, each of them comes from a different position. Trump seeks to consolidate the ceasefire and transform it into a permanent truce, while Netanyahu needs to change the negative image that has formed about Israel following the recent war in Gaza. Therefore, this visit may be the opposite of what many expect, as it expresses a meeting between two parties with different goals, even if they are historically allied.

He points out that Netanyahu may try to use this visit to blackmail the US administration to obtain concessions on other issues, the most prominent of which is the Iranian file, as Netanyahu may demand military strikes against Iran or US support for normalization with Saudi Arabia and the Arab countries. Netanyahu may also seek US approval to continue settlement and annexation in the West Bank, an issue that raises great controversy on the international scene.

Al-Mashni points out that the US administration faces major challenges in dealing with Netanyahu, as it cannot ignore the Israeli position, but at the same time it cannot allow him to disrupt its efforts to achieve stability in the region.

According to Al-Mishni, Trump will try to impose his position on Netanyahu in one way or another, especially in light of the strong American desire to end wars in the Middle East.

He explains that US-Israeli relations are not governed by this visit alone, but there are other variables that play a major role, especially with regard to the situation in Syria. The US administration has expressed a desire to withdraw from Syria, which affects the Israeli position, which depends on US support in confronting regional threats.

Al-Mashni believes that Netanyahu's visit to Washington will lead to the consolidation of the ceasefire on both the Lebanese front and Gaza, but it will also be an opportunity for Netanyahu to try to achieve political gains at the expense of the American position. However, the final settlement will express the American position, which Israel cannot ultimately reject.

Features of the political and security future in the Gaza Strip and the region

Writer and expert on Israeli affairs Yasser Manna expects that the upcoming meeting between US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will address several fundamental issues that will determine the political and security future of the Gaza Strip and the region as a whole.

According to Manaa, the most prominent of these issues is the issue of stopping the war on Gaza, and what is known as the “day after” for the Strip, where the two parties will discuss possible scenarios for the future of Gaza after the end of military operations.

According to Manaa, one of the main points of the meeting will be to discuss ways to remove Hamas from power in Gaza, whether by imposing a new alternative authority or through security and political arrangements that ensure a change in the status quo. The possibility of resuming military operations against Gaza may also be discussed if the calming efforts falter or if Israeli goals are not fully achieved.

In this context, Manna believes that Netanyahu may seek to extract a more flexible American position that allows Israel “freedom of military action” inside Gaza even after the war stops, in order to ensure that Hamas does not regain its military or administrative capabilities.

As for the normalization file, Manaa believes that it will occupy a central position in the discussions, especially since the US administration considers the success of the normalization process with the Arab countries a strategic priority for it. Achieving a sustainable calm in Gaza is a major condition for the success of the normalization project, as Washington believes that the continuation of the war hinders progress in this file and negatively affects the chances of expanding the circle of Arab countries involved in the normalization process with Israel. Therefore, the United States may seek to pressure Israel to commit to the calm, despite the opposition of some Israeli political and military circles to this approach.

In addition, Manaa expects the meeting to address the thorny issue of the displacement of Palestinians, whether from the Gaza Strip or the West Bank, and ideas may be put forward regarding finding new demographic solutions, such as settling Palestinians in neighboring countries, an idea that has previously sparked widespread controversy and categorical rejection from many Arab and international countries. Discussions may also be held regarding the “alternative plan” related to the management of Gaza if the displacement option is ruled out.

Manna points out that the settlement file and the situation in the West Bank will be strongly present in the meeting, as Israel seeks to establish new facts on the ground, taking advantage of the world's preoccupation with what is happening in Gaza.

He points out that the continued expansion of settlements, the escalation of confrontations between Palestinians and settlers, in addition to Israeli policies in Jerusalem, are all issues that may be raised in the context of the meeting, especially with the escalation of internal pressure on Netanyahu from the far-right parties to push this agenda forward.

Manaa believes that the meeting will be of great importance, as it will largely determine the direction of the situation in Gaza and the region, whether by strengthening the path of calm and consolidating its agreements, or pushing towards more escalatory options according to the political and military calculations of both Israel and the United States.