What is the story about?
United States President Donald Trump’s bonhomie with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was on full display as the two leaders met in Florida on Monday (December 29) to discuss the tensions in West Asia. During a press conference following their lunch meeting at Mar-a-Lago, Trump ramped up pressure on Hamas to disarm and threatened to bomb Iran if it attempts to grow its ballistic missile programme.
The two leaders emphasised that they were in broad agreement on most issues. However, there was still no clarity about when the second phase of the US-brokered peace plan for Gaza will come into effect.
Here are the major takeaways from Trump’s meeting with Netanyahu.
US President Trump stressed that Hamas must disarm or be “wiped out”, placing the onus of the success of the second phase of the US-brokered peace plan for Gaza on the Palestinian militant group.
“They’re gonna be given a very short period of time to disarm … but if they don’t disarm, as they agreed to do, then there will be hell to pay for them,” he said.
Trump said it would be “horrible” for Hamas if the group refused to give up its weapons.
He then claimed that some countries have offered to “wipe them out” if Hamas does not disarm.
A key takeaway from Trump’s meeting with Israeli PM Netanyahu was that there is still no clarity over the implementation of the second phase of the peace plan in Gaza.
Phase one of the plan is almost complete, as all but one hostage, believed to be deceased, has been returned to Israel by Hamas.
The second phase requires Hamas to disarm and Israel to withdraw from most of the Gaza Strip. It would also include the establishment of a technocratic Palestinian administration in the territory and the deployment of an international police force. The reconstruction of Gaza would also begin.
Last week, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that Washington’s top priority was to advance to the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal.
However, on Monday, the US president kept focus on Hamas and said he was “not concerned” about Israel’s actions in the region.
Israel has reportedly killed 414 Palestinians in Gaza since the ceasefire took effect in October. It is also restricting the entry of international aid into the territory, including temporary shelter provisions.
Trump, however, claimed that Israel had lived up to its commitments under the Gaza ceasefire plan – “100 per cent”.
“I’m not concerned about anything that Israel is doing,” he told reporters.
Trump also expressed support for a possible Israeli attack on Iran if Tehran rebuilds its nuclear programme.
“Now I hear that Iran is trying to build up again, and if they are, we’re going to have to knock them down,” the US president said, apparently referring to reports of ballistic missile testing.
“We’ll knock them down. We’ll knock the hell out of them. But, hopefully, that’s not happening.”
Earlier this year, the US struck three top nuclear sites in Iran – Isfahan, Natanz and Fordow, which the Pentagon believed set back the West Asian country’s nuclear programme by “one to two years.”
"I've been reading that they're building up weapons and other things, and if they are, they're not using the sites we obliterated, but possibly different sites," Trump told reporters during the joint press conference with the Israeli leader.
"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 added, referring to the US bombers that attacked Iran’s suspected nuclear sites this year. "It's a 37-hour trip both ways. I don't want to waste a lot of fuel."
The division between the US and Israel over the Israeli-occupied West Bank, which is home to three million (30 lakh) Palestinians and over 600,000 Israelis who live in illegal settlements, remains.
When asked about a series of violent attacks by Israeli settlers in the West Bank targeting Palestinians, Trump said that he had discussed the territory with Netanyahu. “I wouldn’t say we agree on the West Bank a hundred per cent, but we’ll come to a conclusion on the West Bank,” Trump said.
When asked what the disagreement is about, Trump replied that “it will be announced at an appropriate time, but he will do the right thing”, gesturing at Netanyahu.
According to an Axios report, Trump and his top advisers asked the Israeli PM to change his country's policies in the occupied West Bank during their meeting on Monday.
Reports say that the Trump administration is against Israel’s formal annexation of the West Bank. Meanwhile, the Israeli government has previously discussed annexing parts of the West Bank and has increased its military operations in the area since the Hamas attacks of October 7, 2023.
Despite reports of strain between Trump and Netanyahu over Israel dragging its feet on advancing the peace process in Gaza, the two leaders presented a united front on Monday, exchanging compliments and flattery.
“We’ve never had a friend like President Trump in the White House. It’s not even close,” Netanyahu said upon his arrival.
Trump returned the compliment later, asserting that “Israel, with most other leaders, would not exist today.”
“The relationship’s been extraordinary,” the US president said.
Describing Netanyahu as a “hero”, Trump said: “We’re with you, and we’ll continue to be with you, and a lot of good things are happening in the Middle East [West Asia].”
“We have peace in the Middle East, and we’re going to try and keep it that way. I think we will be very successful in keeping it that way. And you’ve been a great friend.”
The Israeli PM announced that Trump will become the first non-Israeli to be awarded the Israel Prize for Peace for his “special contribution to the Jewish people”.
“I have to say that this reflects the overwhelming sentiment of Israelis across the spectrum,” Netanyahu said.
Trump called the award “really surprising and very much appreciated,” while lauding Netanyahu as a “wartime” leader.
Before their private lunch at Mar-a-Lago, Trump underlined his efforts to secure a presidential pardon for Netanyahu, who is facing corruption charges, including fraud and bribery, in separate cases in Israel.
He claimed that Israel’s president, Isaac Herzog, told him a pardon for Netanyahu was “on its way”. Herzog’s office was quick to reject the US president’s assertions.
“How do you not give a pardon?” Trump said. “I spoke to the president,” he said of Herzog. “He tells me it’s on its way.”
In October, during a visit to Israel, the US president had asked Herzog to pardon Netanyahu.
Herzog’s office said on Monday that the Israeli president did not speak with Trump, but with the American president’s aide.
“Several weeks ago, a conversation took place between President Herzog and a representative on behalf of Trump, who inquired about the American president’s letter,” Herzog’s office said, as per The Hill.
“He was given an explanation of the stage the request is currently at, and that a decision on the matter would be made in accordance with the established procedures,” Herzog’s office added.
The US president seems to be pressing the Israeli leader to get along with Syria.
Trump said Netanyahu is “going to get along” with Syria, praising Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa.
“We do have an understanding regarding Syria,” the US president said. “Now, with Syria, you have a new president. I respect him. He’s a very strong guy, and that’s what you need in Syria.”
Netanyahu was, however, evasive on Israel’s approach to Syria.
“Our interest is to have a peaceful border with Syria,” he said. “We want to make sure that the border area right next to our border is safe — we don’t have terrorists, we don’t have attacks.”
Israel has been suspicious of Syria's al-Sharaa, who is a former member of al-Qaeda.
Since the fall of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad last year, Israel has increased its occupation of southern Syria beyond the Golan Heights, taking over large areas in Jabal al-Sheikh.
The two leaders also likely discussed Turkey's role in the Gaza ceasefire plan.
Before the meeting, Trump told reporters he would discuss with Netanyahu about the possibility of stationing Turkish peacekeepers in Gaza. This is another divisive subject as Israel is wary of Turkey.
With inputs from agencies
The two leaders emphasised that they were in broad agreement on most issues. However, there was still no clarity about when the second phase of the US-brokered peace plan for Gaza will come into effect.
Here are the major takeaways from Trump’s meeting with Netanyahu.
Hamas must disarm
US President Trump stressed that Hamas must disarm or be “wiped out”, placing the onus of the success of the second phase of the US-brokered peace plan for Gaza on the Palestinian militant group.
“They’re gonna be given a very short period of time to disarm … but if they don’t disarm, as they agreed to do, then there will be hell to pay for them,” he said.
Trump said it would be “horrible” for Hamas if the group refused to give up its weapons.
He then claimed that some countries have offered to “wipe them out” if Hamas does not disarm.
No clarity on 2nd phase of Gaza ceasefire
A key takeaway from Trump’s meeting with Israeli PM Netanyahu was that there is still no clarity over the implementation of the second phase of the peace plan in Gaza.
Phase one of the plan is almost complete, as all but one hostage, believed to be deceased, has been returned to Israel by Hamas.
The second phase requires Hamas to disarm and Israel to withdraw from most of the Gaza Strip. It would also include the establishment of a technocratic Palestinian administration in the territory and the deployment of an international police force. The reconstruction of Gaza would also begin.
Last week, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that Washington’s top priority was to advance to the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal.
However, on Monday, the US president kept focus on Hamas and said he was “not concerned” about Israel’s actions in the region.
Israel has reportedly killed 414 Palestinians in Gaza since the ceasefire took effect in October. It is also restricting the entry of international aid into the territory, including temporary shelter provisions.
Trump, however, claimed that Israel had lived up to its commitments under the Gaza ceasefire plan – “100 per cent”.
“I’m not concerned about anything that Israel is doing,” he told reporters.
Trump threatens Iran
Trump also expressed support for a possible Israeli attack on Iran if Tehran rebuilds its nuclear programme.
“Now I hear that Iran is trying to build up again, and if they are, we’re going to have to knock them down,” the US president said, apparently referring to reports of ballistic missile testing.
“We’ll knock them down. We’ll knock the hell out of them. But, hopefully, that’s not happening.”
Earlier this year, the US struck three top nuclear sites in Iran – Isfahan, Natanz and Fordow, which the Pentagon believed set back the West Asian country’s nuclear programme by “one to two years.”
"I've been reading that they're building up weapons and other things, and if they are, they're not using the sites we obliterated, but possibly different sites," Trump told reporters during the joint press conference with the Israeli leader.
"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 added, referring to the US bombers that attacked Iran’s suspected nuclear sites this year. "It's a 37-hour trip both ways. I don't want to waste a lot of fuel."
Disagreement over the West Bank
The division between the US and Israel over the Israeli-occupied West Bank, which is home to three million (30 lakh) Palestinians and over 600,000 Israelis who live in illegal settlements, remains.
When asked about a series of violent attacks by Israeli settlers in the West Bank targeting Palestinians, Trump said that he had discussed the territory with Netanyahu. “I wouldn’t say we agree on the West Bank a hundred per cent, but we’ll come to a conclusion on the West Bank,” Trump said.
US 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, US, December 29, 2025. Reuters
When asked what the disagreement is about, Trump replied that “it will be announced at an appropriate time, but he will do the right thing”, gesturing at Netanyahu.
According to an Axios report, Trump and his top advisers asked the Israeli PM to change his country's policies in the occupied West Bank during their meeting on Monday.
Reports say that the Trump administration is against Israel’s formal annexation of the West Bank. Meanwhile, the Israeli government has previously discussed annexing parts of the West Bank and has increased its military operations in the area since the Hamas attacks of October 7, 2023.
Prizes and flattery
Despite reports of strain between Trump and Netanyahu over Israel dragging its feet on advancing the peace process in Gaza, the two leaders presented a united front on Monday, exchanging compliments and flattery.
“We’ve never had a friend like President Trump in the White House. It’s not even close,” Netanyahu said upon his arrival.
Trump returned the compliment later, asserting that “Israel, with most other leaders, would not exist today.”
“The relationship’s been extraordinary,” the US president said.
Describing Netanyahu as a “hero”, Trump said: “We’re with you, and we’ll continue to be with you, and a lot of good things are happening in the Middle East [West Asia].”
“We have peace in the Middle East, and we’re going to try and keep it that way. I think we will be very successful in keeping it that way. And you’ve been a great friend.”
The Israeli PM announced that Trump will become the first non-Israeli to be awarded the Israel Prize for Peace for his “special contribution to the Jewish people”.
“I have to say that this reflects the overwhelming sentiment of Israelis across the spectrum,” Netanyahu said.
Trump called the award “really surprising and very much appreciated,” while lauding Netanyahu as a “wartime” leader.
Pardon for Netanyahu soon?
Before their private lunch at Mar-a-Lago, Trump underlined his efforts to secure a presidential pardon for Netanyahu, who is facing corruption charges, including fraud and bribery, in separate cases in Israel.
He claimed that Israel’s president, Isaac Herzog, told him a pardon for Netanyahu was “on its way”. Herzog’s office was quick to reject the US president’s assertions.
“How do you not give a pardon?” Trump said. “I spoke to the president,” he said of Herzog. “He tells me it’s on its way.”
In October, during a visit to Israel, the US president had asked Herzog to pardon Netanyahu.
Herzog’s office said on Monday that the Israeli president did not speak with Trump, but with the American president’s aide.
“Several weeks ago, a conversation took place between President Herzog and a representative on behalf of Trump, who inquired about the American president’s letter,” Herzog’s office said, as per The Hill.
“He was given an explanation of the stage the request is currently at, and that a decision on the matter would be made in accordance with the established procedures,” Herzog’s office added.
Syria, Turkey discussed
The US president seems to be pressing the Israeli leader to get along with Syria.
Trump said Netanyahu is “going to get along” with Syria, praising Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa.
“We do have an understanding regarding Syria,” the US president said. “Now, with Syria, you have a new president. I respect him. He’s a very strong guy, and that’s what you need in Syria.”
Netanyahu was, however, evasive on Israel’s approach to Syria.
“Our interest is to have a peaceful border with Syria,” he said. “We want to make sure that the border area right next to our border is safe — we don’t have terrorists, we don’t have attacks.”
Israel has been suspicious of Syria's al-Sharaa, who is a former member of al-Qaeda.
Since the fall of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad last year, Israel has increased its occupation of southern Syria beyond the Golan Heights, taking over large areas in Jabal al-Sheikh.
The two leaders also likely discussed Turkey's role in the Gaza ceasefire plan.
Before the meeting, Trump told reporters he would discuss with Netanyahu about the possibility of stationing Turkish peacekeepers in Gaza. This is another divisive subject as Israel is wary of Turkey.
With inputs from agencies
