Netanyahu says he spoke three times with Trump in recent days
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Former US President Donald Trump (L) shakes hands with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) as they pose for a photo within their meeting at Mar-a-Lago estate, in Palm Beach, Florida, United States on July 26, 2024. (Photo by Amos Ben-Gershom (GPO) / Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that he has spoken three times with President-elect Trump in recent days. Netanyahu is also sending Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer to Mar-a-Lago this week, a senior Israeli official told Axios.
Why it matters: The challenge of Israel's multi-front war and the deteriorating security situation in the Middle East will soon fall to Trump. Netanyahu's comment and his adviser's trip suggest they're already coordinating closely.
- One Trump-Netanyahu call had been made public since the election. If Netanyahu did have another two calls with Trump, it would likely make him the foreign leader who has spoken the most with the president-elect.
- The calls would give Netanyahu a chance to influence Trump's thinking on the wars in Gaza and Lebanon. Trump has previously called on Netanyahu to end the war in Gaza, but the Israeli PM has continued to pursue maximalist aims rather than prioritizing a ceasefire.
- The Trump transition team did not respond to a request for comment.
What they're saying: "These were very good and important conversations. We see eye to eye on the Iranian threat in all its components, and the danger it poses. We also see the great opportunities that Israel faces, in the field of peace and its expansion, and in other areas," Netanyahu said.
The other side: Israeli President Isaac Herzog will meet with President Biden at the White House on Tuesday to discuss the war in Gaza and Lebanon, U.S. and Israeli officials said.
- Biden wants to try and use the two months he has left in office to reach an agreement to end the war in Lebanon and make progress towards a hostage and ceasefire deal in Gaza.
Driving the news: A U.S. deadline for Israel to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza looms on Wednesday.
- If it determines Israel has not taken sufficient steps to improve the humanitarian situation, the Biden administration could suspend arms supplies to Israel, in accordance with U.S. law.
- National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said Sunday on CBS News' "Face the Nation that the U.S. has told Israel it will "measure you against the progress you're making" as explained to them in a letter sent from Secretary of State Tony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.
- "This week, we will make our judgments about what kind of progress they have made," he said.
- However, U.S. officials said that the deadline might be extended by a few days due to the appointment of a new Israeli minister of defense.
What's next: The Israeli security cabinet will meet on Sunday to discuss the U.S. ultimatum and the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
- Netanyahu, new Defense Minister Israel Katz and Dermer met on Sunday with the UN humanitarian coordinator for Gaza, Sigrid Kach.
- On Friday the independent Famine Review Committee (FRC) which includes global food security experts, warned of a "strong likelihood that famine is imminent" in areas of northern Gaza.
What to watch: Dermer is expected to travel to Washington on Sunday night for talks with Sullivan and Blinken to discuss the U.S. ultimatum as well as efforts to reach a ceasefire in Lebanon.
Editor's note: This story has been updated with comments from Jake Sullivan on CBS News' "Face the Nation."
