Trump Urges Quick Progress on Gaza Ceasefire Phase Two

Tue Dec 30 2025 06:10:50 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In recent talks, Donald Trump stressed the urgency for Hamas to disarm as part of the Gaza peace plan, warning of severe consequences for non-compliance.

During a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Donald Trump expressed hope for a swift transition to phase two of the Gaza peace plan. He emphasized the necessity for Hamas to disarm quickly or face significant penalties. While assuring that Israel has adhered to the peace agreement, Trump indicated potential consequences for Hamas's actions and discussed the possibility of further U.S. military action against Iran if its nuclear program re-emerges. The peace plan aims to establish a new government in Gaza and initiate reconstruction, alongside calls for disarmament of Hamas and the withdrawal of Israeli troops.

Donald Trump said he hoped to reach phase two of the Gaza peace plan very quickly, as he warned Hamas would have hell to pay if it did not disarm quickly.

The US president, whose 20-point peace plan requires the militant group to disarm, made the comments as he met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Florida for talks on Monday.

During a press conference with Netanyahu after their meeting, Trump said Israel had lived up to the plan 100%, despite continuing attacks by its military in Gaza.

The US president also said his country could support another major strike on Iran were it to resume rebuilding its ballistic missile or nuclear weapons programmes.

Asked how quickly Hamas and Israel should move to phase two of the peace plan, Trump said: As quickly as we can. But there has to be disarmament.

Trump continued, If they don't disarm as, as they agreed to do, they agreed to it, and then there will be hell to pay for them. They have to disarm in a fairly short period of time.

Trump stated reconstruction in Gaza could begin pretty soon.

The Gaza peace plan came into effect in October. Under the second phase, a technocratic government would be established in the devastated territory, Hamas would disarm and Israeli troops would withdraw. The reconstruction of Gaza would then begin.

Critics have suggested Netanyahu could seek to delay the process of the plan and instead push for Hamas to disarm before Israeli troops withdraw.

Hamas officials have said a full disarmament should take place alongside progress towards an independent Palestinian state.

Trump reassured, I'm not concerned about anything that Israel's doing, I'm concerned about what other people are doing or maybe aren't doing.

Since the ceasefire came into effect, at least 414 Palestinians have been killed by the Israeli military in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. The Israeli military indicated that it has only acted in response to ceasefire violations.

Trump's warning regarding Iran included implications that the US would take further action if the country resumes its nuclear ambitions. Iran denied any intention of developing nuclear weapons and dismissed the reports of their nuclear sites as psychological warfare.

In closing remarks, Trump and Netanyahu touched on regional tensions, emphasizing Israel's commitment to maintaining peace with Syria.