American says Hamas “will pay dearly” if the truce is violated in the Gaza Strip, after the Islamist group’s refusal to lay down its arms. He also mentioned “differences” with the Israeli prime minister regarding the West Bank.
United States President Donald Trump stated that he and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reached “many conclusions” during a meeting between them this Monday (29/12) in Florida.
Trump received Netanyahu at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach and praised the Israeli government’s performance during the implementation of the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, which came into force in October.
The American stated that Israel honored the ceasefire plan in the Palestinian enclave, despite numerous reports of Israeli attacks in Gaza after the start of the truce.
“I’m not worried about anything Israel is doing,” Trump said, standing alongside Netanyahu. “I’m worried about what other people are doing or maybe not doing. But I’m not worried [com Israel].” “They stuck to the plan.”
Trump warned that Hamas will suffer serious consequences if it does not disarm quickly as stipulated in the agreement, which the Islamist group has refused to do.
“If they do not disarm as they agreed to do, then they will pay dearly,” Trump said at the joint press conference with Netanyahu. “They have to disarm in a relatively short period of time.”
Trump also said that he and Netanyahu did not fully agree on the issue of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, but did not specify what the difference was. “We have had a discussion, a long discussion, about the West Bank. I wouldn’t say we agree 100% about the West Bank, but we will come to a conclusion about the West Bank,” he told reporters.
The American took the opportunity to launch new threats against Iran, if the country tries to rearm, months after the American and Israeli attacks against the Islamic Republic. “I hope they are not trying to replenish themselves, because if they are, we will have no choice but to eradicate this backlog very quickly,” the president said.
Pardon for Netanyahu remains uncertain
The office of Israeli President Isaac Herzog has denied that it had spoken to Trump about the possibility of granting a pardon to Netanyahu, accused of corruption, since the request was filed by the Israeli prime minister a few weeks ago.
According to the office, Herzog spoke with a Trump representative and explained that any decision would be made in accordance with established procedures. Shortly before, Trump said he spoke with Herzog, who told him that the pardon was “on the way.”
On November 30, Netanyahu submitted a request for a pardon, arguing that the frequent court hearings he must attend undermine his ability to govern and that clemency serves the national interest.
Netanyahu, the first sitting Israeli prime minister to be charged with a crime, denies allegations of bribery, fraud and breach of trust that he has faced since 2019.
Hamas refuses to lay down arms
Shortly before the meeting in Florida, Hamas’ armed wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, said it refused to hand over its weapons.
In a video message, the group confirmed the death of its longtime spokesman, months after Israel announced that he had been killed in an airstrike in Gaza on August 30. The statement also confirmed the deaths of four other Hamas commanders in Israeli attacks during the war against Israel.
“Our people are defending themselves and will not give up their weapons while the occupation lasts,” said the new spokesman for the group, which adopted the nom de guerre of its predecessor, Abu Obeida.
Israeli government spokeswoman Shosh Bedrosian said Netanyahu will discuss the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, which includes ensuring that “Hamas is disarmed and Gaza is demilitarized.” The new Abu Obeida instead advocated Israel’s disarmament.
“We call on all parties to work for the disarmament of the occupation’s lethal weapons, which have been and continue to be used to exterminate our people,” he stated.
Originally published by DW on 12/29/2025
Source: https://www.ocafezinho.com/2025/12/30/trump-recebe-netanyahu-e-diz-que-israel-honrou-cessar-fogo/
