Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is travelling to the United States to meet President Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate, a high-stakes encounter that underscores emerging differences between the two leaders on key regional issues.

The meeting, their fifth this year, comes amid efforts by the Trump administration to advance a ceasefire and move to the second phase of its peace framework in Gaza, and growing friction over Iran, Syria and wider Middle East strategy.

Netanyahu’s visit is seen as crucial to reconciling these policy gaps before they have deeper consequences for bilateral cooperation.

Trump has publicly placed emphasis on preserving and implementing the U.S.-brokered ceasefire arrangements and supporting a structured transition in Gaza that includes an international stabilisation force and political arrangements beyond Hamas rule.

Washington’s position reflects a broader diplomatic effort to stabilise the region and guard against renewed violence, even as it insists on Israel’s security concerns.

Netanyahu, for his part, has sought firmer U.S. backing for robust measures aimed at ensuring Hamas’s complete demilitarisation before significant Israeli redeployment occurs, and has pressed for broader entrenchment of Israeli security gains.

The leaders also diverge on approaches to Iran.

Netanyahu is advocating for a tougher stance, including support for targeted actions against Tehran’s ballistic missile capabilities as part of countering its regional influence.

Trump’s administration, while committed to containing Iran’s nuclear ambitions, has emphasised negotiation avenues and broader diplomatic engagement, reflecting a complex balance between deterrence and conflict avoidance.

Similar tensions appear in discussions on Syria and Lebanon, where coordinated strategy between Israel and the United States remains vital but not fully aligned.

Beyond policy specifics, Netanyahu’s domestic political context — including pressure to demonstrate strength ahead of Israeli elections and to respond to criticism over security developments — adds layers of urgency to his mission.

The Florida talks are being closely watched by diplomats in Washington and Jerusalem as an opportunity to reaffirm strategic alignment and mitigate disputes that could complicate cooperation on security, defence and peace initiatives across the region.

With key decisions looming on the next stages of Gaza arrangements and regional troop postures, the summit is expected to illuminate both the depth of the U.S.–Israel alliance and the points where evolving national interests may test its cohesion.