Trump Issues Stern Warning to Iran, Hamas in Meeting with Netanyahu

U.S. President Donald Trump welcomed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida on December 29, 2025, for discussions aimed at advancing the next phase of the fragile Gaza ceasefire agreement.

The leaders addressed multiple critical issues, including Gaza and Iran. Trump warned that if Iran attempted to reconstruct its nuclear facilities, the United States would destroy them.

Dismissing suggestions of strained relations, Trump described Netanyahu as occasionally “very difficult” but credited his leadership with ensuring Israel’s survival after Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attacks.

Ahead of their private meeting, Trump outlined to reporters that the agenda included around five major topics, with Gaza prominent among them. He insisted that Hamas must disarm to progress the ceasefire brokered in October.

“There has to be a disarming of Hamas,” Trump stated.

Netanyahu praised Trump, declaring that Israel had “never had a friend like President Trump in the White House.”

Earlier, the Israeli leader met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

This marked the fifth U.S.-based meeting between the two this year, amid concerns from some White House officials that both Israel and Hamas are delaying the ceasefire’s second phase.

Trump is reportedly eager to unveil plans in January for a Palestinian technocratic government to replace Hamas in Gaza, alongside an international stabilization force.

The October truce, a key accomplishment of Trump’s administration, required Hamas to release all remaining hostages from the 2023 attack—living and deceased. The group has returned all living captives and nearly all remains.

The next stage calls for Israeli withdrawal from Gaza positions, Hamas disarmament, establishment of an interim authority, and deployment of the international force. However, mutual accusations of violations persist.

Hamas’s Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades reaffirmed on Monday that it would retain its weapons while Israeli occupation continues.

According to Axios, Trump plans to chair a new Gaza “Board of Peace” at the Davos forum next month, though officials express frustration over perceived stalling by Netanyahu.

Tensions also involve Israel’s ongoing operations against Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and targets in Syria.

On Iran, Trump expressed belief that Tehran seeks a deal but issued a stern warning against rebuilding its program, referencing prior U.S. strikes.

Iran rejected related reports as a “psychological operation” and vowed stronger retaliation to any new aggression.

Trump also expressed hope that Netanyahu could build ties with Syria’s new president, a former Islamist rebel leader, after last year’s ouster of Bashar al-Assad.