U.S. President Donald Trump warned on Monday that the United States could launch another major strike on Iran if it resumes rebuilding its ballistic missile or nuclear weapons programs. Speaking alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, Trump also urged Hamas to disarm, signaling serious consequences for noncompliance.
Trump suggested Tehran may be restoring weapons capabilities at new sites after a U.S. strike in June. “We know exactly where they’re going, what they’re doing, and I hope they’re not doing it because we don’t want to waste fuel on a B-2,” he said, referring to the bomber used in the previous strike.
The discussions with Netanyahu focused on advancing the fragile Gaza ceasefire deal brokered in October after two years of fighting, while also addressing Israeli concerns about Iran and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Next Phase of Gaza Ceasefire
Trump expressed a desire to move to the second phase of the ceasefire, which involves deploying international peacekeeping forces in Gaza. However, Hamas has yet to disarm, and Israel remains entrenched in roughly half of the territory. “There will be hell to pay,” Trump warned if Hamas fails to lay down its weapons.
U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with their delegations, meet at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., December 29, 2025. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst
Netanyahu indicated that the next steps in the ceasefire plan would only proceed once Hamas returns the remains of the last Israeli hostage, a key condition for moving forward. Israel has also yet to open the Rafah crossing to Egypt, another step required under Trump’s ceasefire plan.
Regional Security Discussions
The leaders also discussed broader regional concerns, including Turkey’s potential role in Gaza peacekeeping and ensuring stability along Israel’s border with Syria. Trump expressed confidence that Israel could maintain peaceful relations with Syria’s new leadership, despite past tensions and attacks in Damascus.
U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hold a press conference after meeting at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., December 29, 2025. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst
While the ceasefire has reduced hostilities in Gaza, intermittent violence continues. Israeli strikes have killed more than 400 Palestinians—mostly civilians—while Palestinian militants have killed three Israeli soldiers since the October truce.
Trump’s statements reinforce his commitment to supporting Israel’s security and advancing the next phase of the Gaza ceasefire, even as tensions with Iran and regional instability remain pressing issues.
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks next to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu upon arrival for meetings at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., December 29, 2025. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst
West Bank Tensions Remain Unresolved
Trump acknowledged that he and Netanyahu do not fully agree on the Israeli-occupied West Bank, though he did not specify the points of disagreement. Speaking after their Mar-a-Lago meeting, he said the matter would be resolved and announced at the appropriate time, adding that Netanyahu “will do the right thing.” The West Bank, home to 2.7 million Palestinians and roughly half a million Israeli settlers, remains a flashpoint for violence, with settler attacks and military operations contributing to over a thousand Palestinian deaths between October 2023 and October 2025. International pressure continues to mount on Israel over settlement expansion, which most of the world deems illegal under international law.
