US President Donald Trump hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a high-profile New Year’s Eve party at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, according to social media posts shared on Wednesday night.
Mr Netanyahu, who arrived in the United States earlier in the week, was seen attending the glittering celebration alongside Mr Trump. Images circulating online showed the two leaders standing together at the event, which featured a guest list dominated by close allies of the US president and prominent figures from political and business circles.
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Mr Trump had earlier joked that the Israeli prime minister could attend the festivities during meetings held on Monday, where the two leaders discussed the fragile Gaza ceasefire and broader regional developments in the Middle East. The ceasefire, brokered in October, is being cited by the Trump administration as one of the major foreign policy achievements of the president’s first year back in office.
President Donald J Trump with First Lady Melania Trump Trump tonight at Mar-a-Lago for New Year’s Eve!! Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu also here! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!🇺🇸🇺🇸☀️☀️🎉🌴 pic.twitter.com/sttcrDrrCO
— Michael Solakiewicz (@michaelsolakie) January 1, 2026
Among those attending the party were former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani, Emirati billionaire Hussain Sajwani, and Mr Trump’s sons Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr. Senior administration officials were also present, including Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and White House deputy chief of staff Dan Scavino.
Despite the celebratory optics, diplomatic tensions reportedly persist behind the scenes. Some officials in Washington have expressed concern that the Netanyahu government is moving slowly on commitments related to the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement.
In recent days, however, Mr Trump has sought to play down reports of friction between the two allies. Speaking to reporters earlier this week, he rejected suggestions of a rift with the Israeli leader and reiterated his confidence in the ceasefire process.
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The public appearance of both leaders at a social event underscored the close personal rapport between Mr Trump and Mr Netanyahu, even as sensitive negotiations over Gaza and wider regional stability continue.