"A Bullet in the Back"
60,000 Rifles: The Secret Intelligence Netanyahu Shared With Trump in Florida
Following a warm two hour summit at Mar-a-Lago, Prime Minister Netanyahu has made it clear that any civilian reconstruction in Gaza is impossible while the terrorists of Hamas remain armed with tens of thousands of rifles.
In a series of high stakes discussions at Mar-a-Lago, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu presented President Donald Trump with alarming intelligence regarding the current state of Gaza. According to the data compiled by the Shin Bet and military intelligence specifically for this trip, the terrorists of Hamas are still in possession of approximately 60,000 Kalashnikov rifles. Netanyahu used this figure to emphasize that no new administration or civilian rehabilitation can begin in the enclave until a total disarmament occurs. In a blunt interview with Fox News, the Prime Minister warned that any international force or local entity attempting to manage Gaza while the terrorists remain armed would face a lethal threat, stating that they would simply get a bullet in the back.
The meeting between the two leaders, which lasted over two hours, was marked by public displays of affection and mutual respect, but beneath the surface, a clear "Art of the Deal" dynamic is emerging. While Trump praised Israel for doing its part 100% in the war, he also hinted at upcoming developments, suggesting that the world might be surprised in the new secular year. However, the American administration is now looking for a return on their public support. Washington is reportedly pushing for concrete steps, including the opening of the Rafah crossing and the establishment of a technocratic local government in areas where the terrorists of Hamas no longer hold sway.
Netanyahu also used the summit to voice strong opposition to any Turkish involvement on the ground in Gaza. Despite Trump’s warm words for President Erdogan, Netanyahu insisted that Israel cannot tolerate a Turkish military or political presence in the strip. This remains a point of tension, as Trump continues to weigh the possibility of selling F-35 fighter jets to Turkey while promising that no one will use them against Israel. The Prime Minister is navigating a complex path, as the American expectation for a "Day After" plan involves a stabilizing international force and a limited civilian reconstruction pilot program in cities like Rafah.
As the visit continues with events in Miami and a New Year’s Eve gala at the Mar-a-Lago estate, the pressure on the Israeli government is mounting. Trump’s strategy involves a warm embrace coupled with the expectation that Netanyahu will "figure it out" and deliver results that satisfy regional allies and American advisors. This includes moving toward a transition phase where the terrorists of Hamas are entirely removed from the equation, a goal Netanyahu insists is shared by the residents of Gaza themselves. The Prime Minister remains firm that the only job left for the terrorists is to stop existing, allowing a new reality to take root from the bottom up.