By Gao Yun
On Monday, Dec. 29, U.S. President Donald Trump met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Mar-a-Lago in Florida. Before the meeting, Trump once again called on the Palestinian armed group Hamas to disarm and hinted at openness to supporting Israel in launching another strike against Iran.
According to Reuters, Trump said the meeting would focus on breaking the Gaza ceasefire deadlock and addressing Israel’s security concerns regarding Iran and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Speaking to reporters before the meeting, Trump stated that although Israel has recently conducted multiple cross-border military operations in Syria, he still hopes Israel can cooperate with Syria.
On the Iran issue
Trump said that if Iran continues advancing its ballistic missile and nuclear programs, the U.S. would support Israel in launching “another round of rapid strikes” against Tehran.
He said: “Now I hear Iran is trying to develop again. If that’s the case, we have to take them down. We will take them down. We’ll hit them hard, but hopefully it doesn’t come to that. I hear Iran wants to make a deal; if they do, that’s much smarter.”
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Earlier this year, the U.S. military bombed three Iranian nuclear facilities. Trump later described the operation as a “major military success.” Netanyahu has warned in recent weeks that Iran is expanding its ballistic missile program again, forming a key backdrop to the U.S.-Israel talks.
Trump emphasizes ‘Hamas must disarm’
On Gaza, Trump said he hopes to push Israel and Hamas into the second phase of a ceasefire agreement soon but stressed that “Hamas must disarm.”
Currently, the Israel-Hamas ceasefire remains in the first phase of a proposed three-stage plan, and the details of the second phase have not been agreed upon. At present, the body of an Israeli hostage remains in Gaza. Netanyahu has made clear that he is in no hurry to advance the second phase of the ceasefire until the whereabouts of the body are clarified.
The report notes that while Israel is cautious about advancing to the next phase, Washington is promoting a transitional governance mechanism in Palestinian territories and establishing an international security force.
The U.S. has facilitated three ceasefire arrangements involving its long-term ally Israel: between Israel and Hamas, Israel and Iran, and Israel and Lebanon. However, Netanyahu is concerned that Israel’s adversaries may use the ceasefire period to rebuild their forces after being weakened in multiple conflicts.
Trump strongly backs Netanyahu
When welcoming Netanyahu to Mar-a-Lago, Trump was asked if he had urged Israel to drop corruption charges against the prime minister.
Trump responded: “He is a wartime prime minister, and he’s doing an excellent job.”
He added: “Honestly, without Netanyahu, Israel might not even exist today. That sounds heavy, but it’s the truth.”
Trump also said that if Israel “chose the wrong prime minister,” the country might not survive strong threats. Israel is expected to hold elections in October, with Netanyahu seeking another term.
Israeli Prime Minister: Trump is ‘Israel’s best friend’
Netanyahu praised Trump again.
Speaking to the press, he said: “I will say it over and over. We’ve never had a friend like President Trump in the White House. There’s no comparison.”
“I think Israel is very lucky to have President Trump leading the U.S., and I think he is leading the free world now,” he added. “I think this is not only a great fortune for Israel but for the entire world.”
Israel and Hamas agreed in October on a plan proposed by Trump to end the two-year Gaza war. The plan ultimately requires Israel to withdraw from Palestinian territories, Hamas to surrender its weapons, and give up its governing role.
The first phase of the ceasefire includes partial Israeli withdrawal, increased humanitarian aid, and prisoner exchanges of Palestinians held in Israel for hostages.
Israel has not opened the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt, another condition of Trump’s plan. Israel says the crossing will only open once the body of the late hostage Ran Gvili is returned.
Pre-meeting with Rubio and Hegseth
Netanyahu’s office said that before meeting Trump, he met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and war correspondent Pete Hegseth. They, along with several U.S. and Israeli officials, later attended the formal Trump-Netanyahu talks.
Last week, Rubio stated that Washington hopes to quickly implement the transitional administrative arrangements outlined in Trump’s plan, including a “Board of Peace” and a governance body composed of Palestinian technocrats, responsible for Gaza before the deployment of an international security force. The deployment is based on a U.N. Security Council resolution passed on Nov. 17.
Currently, Israel and Hamas continue to accuse each other of serious violations. There is no clear progress toward the more challenging next-phase measures. On Monday, Hamas refused to disarm and reinforced its control over Gaza while Israeli forces still occupy roughly half the area.
Israel has stated that if Hamas cannot be disarmed peacefully, military action will resume to force compliance.
Turkey and Syria topics emerge
Trump also said he would discuss the possibility of deploying Turkish peacekeepers in Gaza. Reports note that this issue is sensitive: although Trump has repeatedly praised Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, Israel maintains a cautious relationship with Ankara.
Syria is also considered a possible discussion topic. Trump supports the government led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who took power last year after the long-term rule of Bashar al-Assad was overthrown. Israel remains highly vigilant toward the new leader, partly because of his past ties to al-Qaeda. Reports mention that Israel even bombed government buildings in Damascus in July this year.
Lebanon ceasefire under pressure, Iran missile drills raise concerns
In Lebanon, a U.S.-backed ceasefire agreement reached in November 2024 ended more than a year of conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. The deal calls for the disarmament of the Iranian-backed Shiite militia, starting in areas south of the river near the Israeli border.
Lebanon claims it is close to completing the task before the year-end deadline, but Hezbollah refuses to lay down arms. Israel says progress is “partial and slow,” and conducts almost daily airstrikes to prevent Hezbollah from rebuilding its military capability.
Iran fought a 12-day war with Israel in June. Last week, Iran said it held its second missile drill of the month. Netanyahu said last week that Israel does not seek direct conflict with Iran but is monitoring developments and will coordinate with Trump on Tehran’s military activities.
An Israeli official revealed that Netanyahu plans to provide Trump with intelligence on Iran’s military expansion but did not disclose specific Israeli demands or potential actions.
The report concludes by noting that Trump ordered U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in June but later also suggested the possibility of a potential deal with Tehran.
