US President Donald Trump has warned Hamas and Iran to stop actions that could bring new conflict, after meeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Florida.
Speaking at a joint press conference at his Mar-a-Lago resort, Trump said Hamas would face serious consequences if it does not disarm in Gaza, as required under the current ceasefire agreement. He said the group must give up its weapons within a short time. However, Hamas’s armed wing repeated that it will not surrender its arms, saying it is defending Palestinians under occupation.
Trump also sent a strong warning to Iran. He said the United States would strike again if Iran tries to rebuild its nuclear program or its ballistic missile weapons. These warnings come after US and Israeli attacks earlier this year targeted Iranian nuclear and military sites. Trump said any new buildup by Iran would be dealt with quickly and even more forcefully than before. Iranian officials responded by saying any attack on Iran would be met with an immediate and harsh response.
Trump dismissed reports of tension between himself and Netanyahu over the next stage of the Gaza ceasefire. He said Israel has met its responsibilities and that the main issue now is Hamas’s refusal to disarm. Netanyahu described the meeting as “very productive” and announced that Israel would award Trump its highest civilian honor, marking the first time it has been given to a non-Israeli.
The two leaders also discussed the future of Gaza, including plans for reconstruction, the possible creation of a technocratic Palestinian government, and the deployment of an international stabilization force. Trump said he hopes rebuilding can begin soon in Gaza, which has been badly damaged during the war that followed Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel.
In addition, their talks covered wider regional issues such as Syria and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Trump said he hoped Israel could find a way to work with Syria’s new president, despite ongoing tensions and border strikes.
Netanyahu’s visit came during a busy period of diplomacy for Trump, who also met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to discuss efforts to end Russia’s war in Ukraine. While Trump said he still believes Iran may want a deal on its nuclear program, he made it clear that the United States is ready to act if threats continue.
