President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu projected public unity Monday after a private lunch and press conference at Mar-a-Lago, using the appearance to intensify pressure on Hamas to disarm, warn Iran against rebuilding its missile capabilities, and sketch out their alignment on a range of regional and global issues.
The meeting underscored a shared hardline approach toward Israel’s adversaries, even as several of Trump’s claims — including one involving Netanyahu’s legal troubles — were quickly disputed by Israeli officials.
Pressure on Hamas Intensifies as Ceasefire Nears Transition
Trump made clear that his administration expects Hamas to disarm swiftly as the Gaza ceasefire enters its next phase, warning that the militant group would be “wiped out” if it fails to comply. Phase 1 of the U.S.-brokered deal is nearly complete, with all but one Israeli hostage — believed to be deceased — returned.
The second phase, however, remains contentious. It requires Hamas to disarm and Israel to withdraw from much of Gaza, steps neither Hamas nor Netanyahu’s government has shown urgency to implement. Trump suggested that Arab states that signed the September peace pact could potentially intervene militarily if Hamas refuses to disarm voluntarily.
Outside analysts were skeptical that disarmament is imminent. Anwar Mhajne, an associate professor at Stonehill College, said Hamas appears to be reestablishing itself during the ceasefire, while Israel continues expanding settlements in the West Bank and weakening the Palestinian Authority — a body often floated as a potential post-Hamas governing authority in Gaza.
“There’s a huge base that wants Israel to maintain control over Gaza,” Mhajne said, adding that Netanyahu remains wary of any outcome that could lead to an independent Gaza or a unified Palestinian state.
Renewed Warnings to Iran, With Door Left Open to Talks
Trump also revived threats against Iran, citing concerns that Tehran may be attempting to rebuild its ballistic missile program following U.S. and Israeli strikes earlier this year.
“I hope they’re not trying to build up again, because if they are, we’re going to have no choice but very quickly, to eradicate that build up,” Trump said.
Israeli officials have warned that Iran may have resumed missile testing, and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said over the weekend that Iran is at war with Israel, the United States and Europe. After diplomatic talks over Iran’s nuclear program collapsed earlier this year, Israel launched strikes in mid-June, followed days later by U.S. B-2 bomber attacks on Iran’s main nuclear facilities. The Pentagon later said Iran’s nuclear program had been set back by “one to two years.”
Mhajne said there was no conclusive evidence that Iran’s capabilities were significantly derailed for the long term, noting that rebuilding remains “very possible.” Still, she argued Trump appears reluctant to reenter a full-scale conflict, despite his rhetoric, pointing to his continued openness to negotiations with Tehran.
Dispute Emerges Over Netanyahu Pardon Claim
One point of contention emerged when Trump claimed that Israeli President Isaac Herzog had told him a pardon for Netanyahu was forthcoming. Netanyahu is currently on trial for multiple corruption charges, including fraud and bribery, which he denies.
Herzog’s office swiftly denied the claim, saying the Israeli president has not spoken directly with Trump and that no decision has been made. According to Herzog’s office, a representative of Trump had inquired about the matter weeks ago and was told it remained under review.
Despite the denial, Morton Klein, president of the Zionist Organization of America, said he believes Herzog ultimately supports a pardon and that Trump would not have made the statement lightly.
Claimed ‘Understanding’ on Syria Amid Ongoing Tensions
Trump said he and Netanyahu had reached an “understanding regarding Syria,” expressing confidence that Israel could work with Syria’s new leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa. Netanyahu has been deeply skeptical of al-Sharaa, a former Islamic militant with ties to al Qaeda.
“Our interest is to have a peaceful border with Syria,” Netanyahu said, emphasizing Israel’s concern for the safety of Druze allies and other minority groups.
The issue remains volatile. Syria’s fragile stability was tested earlier this month by an Islamic State attack that killed two U.S. soldiers, prompting American airstrikes. Mhajne suggested Trump could attempt to negotiate a buffer zone along the Israel-Syria border, though she warned that Israel’s continued military incursions into Syria risk undermining the new government’s legitimacy.
Global Issues: Ukraine, Russia and China
Trump also touched briefly on issues beyond the Middle East. He said he was “very angry” about Russian claims — denied by Ukraine — that Kyiv attempted a drone strike on a residence of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump said he learned of the allegation during a phone call with Putin and acknowledged ongoing “thorny issues” in his efforts to end the war in Ukraine.
On China, Trump played down concerns over recent Chinese military drills near Taiwan, noting that Beijing has conducted naval exercises in the area for decades and suggesting the current maneuvers were not unprecedented.
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