ISRAEL HAYOM (by agreement with JNS)
Iran core issue in Trump-Netanyahu meeting despite denials
Danny Zaken
December 23, 2025

…A second major topic on the agenda is Gaza and the transition to the next Phase. The Americans have been unable to assemble a multinational force due to countries’ refusal to deploy troops while Hamas remains armed. As a result, Washington is turning its attention to the civilian track. The expectation is that following the meeting or meetings, an announcement will be made on the launch of a reconstruction process through the establishment of a new governing civilian body, largely composed of Palestinians who previously worked for the Palestinian Authority. Israel Hayom has reported that lists of some of the candidates expected to assume civilian authority have been transferred to Israel for security vetting, to ensure they are not affiliated with Hamas.” READ MORE

ALGEMEINER Israeli Defense Minister Says Military to Maintain Presence in Gaza but No Plans to Resettle Enclave Israel’s defense minister on Tuesday said that the Israeli military will maintain a long-term presence in Gaza for security reasons but denied any intention to resettle the Palestinian enclave. Israel Katz, speaking at a settlement in the West Bank, said the military would never leave all of Gaza and planned to station a type of unit – Nahal – that has historically played a role in establishing Israeli communities, including settlements. After some Israeli media reported the comment as a plan to resettle Gaza, where Israel dismantled settlements in 2005, Katz issued a statement saying, “The government has no intention of establishing settlements in the Gaza Strip.”