- Trump and Netanyahu met at Mar-a-Lago to advance a 20-point Gaza peace plan, with Trump pushing for a move to Phase 2 that requires Hamas’ disarmament.
- Trump warned that Iran may be rebuilding its nuclear program and said the U.S. would act if that proves true, while also urging Israel to pardon Netanyahu over corruption charges.
- Progress remains stalled as Hamas has not returned all hostage remains and refuses to disarm, even as it continues to control parts of Gaza despite the ceasefire.
President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met at the president’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida on Monday to discuss the agreed upon 20-point plan for peace in Gaza.
Standing next to the prime minister, Trump said he will move to Phase 2 of the peace plan “as quickly” as possible, adding, “There has to be disarmament, you know that, we have to disarm with Hamas.”
The meeting reaffirmed Trump and Netanyahu’s strong relationship and came after months of delay from the terrorist organization, Hamas, in returning the final hostage’s remains.
Trump also told reporters Iran would face opposition from the U.S. if it continues rebuilding its nuclear program. “If they are (rebuilding), we’re going to have to knock them down,” Trump said.
The president of Iran, Masoud Pezeshkian, responded to Trump’s threat on X, early Tuesday morning. “The response of the Islamic Republic of Iran to any oppressive aggression will be harsh and regrettable,” he said.
Meanwhile, Iran is facing the largest protests it’s seen in years, triggered by the collapse of the country’s currency.
To reporters outside Mar-a-Lago, Trump referenced his formal letter to Israel’s President Isaac Herzog from mid-November, asking him to “fully pardon Benjamin Netanyahu” from corruption charges filed in 2020.
“He’s a war-time prime minister who’s a hero. How do you not give a pardon? I spoke to the president, and he tells me it’s on its way,” Trump said.
Netanyahu also reaffirmed the United States’ friendship and alliance with Israel. “I’ll say it again and again and again. We’ve never had a friend like President Trump in the White House. It’s not even close,” he said.
Family of deceased Israeli hostage flies to Florida
Upon Israel and Hamas’ ceasefire agreement on Oct. 9, the terrorist organization promised to return all 20 living and the remains of 28 deceased hostages within 72 hours. However, Hamas has still failed to return the remains of Israeli police officer Ran Gvili.
Gvili’s family, including his parents Itzik and Talik, flew to Florida from Israel to meet with Netanyahu, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Middle East advisers Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff.
In a statement to the Times of Israel, Gvili’s family said the conversation was “very positive” and gave assurance that the U.S. and Israel “will do everything to bring Rani home as soon as possible.” Gvili was 24 when Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.
Netanyahu also met with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth before heading into his meeting with Trump.
How are things going in Gaza?
When Hamas hands over the last hostage remains, the peace plan will transition to Phase 2, which includes disarmament of Hamas, further Israeli withdrawal, deradicalization efforts and the establishment of an interim governance chaired by Trump.
However, a Hamas spokesman announced in a video Monday that the terror group “will not give up their weapons as long as the occupation remains,” referring to Israel’s presence in the Gaza Strip.
Under the Oct. 9 agreement, Israeli Defense Forces are authorized to remain in Gaza until an International Stabilization Force is established and deployed.
And though the group agreed to “not have any role in the governance of Gaza directly, indirectly, or in any form,” Hamas currently governs about half of the Gaza Strip and “has surrendered neither a single tunnel nor a single weapon since the ceasefire,” The Wall Street Journal reported last Thursday.
There have been accusations that both Israel and Hamas have violated the ceasefire agreement since it went into effect. Gaza’s Health Ministry has reported more than 400 Palestinian deaths by Israeli fire since the peace deal agreement, but the ministry does not distinguish between militants and civilians in its count, The Associated Press reported last Wednesday.