President Donald Trump warned Hamas on Monday that it faces severe consequences—"hell to pay"—if it fails to disarm within a short timeframe as stipulated under the Gaza ceasefire agreement. Speaking alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Mar-a-Lago, Trump emphasized that the Palestinian militant group must fulfill its commitments promptly to advance to the truce's second phase, which includes establishing a technocratic government and deploying an international stabilization force.
Trump dismissed suggestions of friction with Netanyahu over the ceasefire's progress, asserting that Israel has fully honored its obligations while placing responsibility squarely on Hamas. He described the armed wing's refusal to surrender weapons as unacceptable, reiterating the need for rapid disarmament to enable Gaza's reconstruction and long-term stabilization under international oversight.
In parallel, Trump issued a forceful threat against Iran, vowing to "eradicate" any efforts to rebuild its nuclear program or ballistic missile capabilities following earlier U.S. and Israeli strikes. He indicated that intelligence suggests Tehran may be attempting restoration, warning of a potentially stronger response than previous actions if such activities continue, though he expressed hope that Iran remains open to negotiations.
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Netanyahu characterized the discussions as highly productive, announcing that Israel would bestow its highest civilian honor on Trump—the first such award to a non-Israeli citizen. The leaders also addressed broader regional issues, including relations with Syria's new leadership and Hezbollah in Lebanon, amid ongoing efforts to consolidate gains from the October ceasefire.
The meeting underscored Trump's push for swift implementation of his Gaza peace framework, with expectations of upcoming announcements on interim governance and security arrangements, despite persistent challenges over Hamas disarmament and Iranian activities.
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