President Donald Trump has stated his intention to broker an understanding between Syrian President Ahmed al-Assad and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He also issued stern warnings to Hamas regarding their weaponry and to Iran concerning its nuclear ambitions.
Speaking at a press conference following a meeting with Netanyahu at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, Trump indicated a shared understanding between the United States and Israel concerning the situation in Syria. He reiterated his admiration for al-Assad, stating, “I respect President al-Assad. He is a strong figure that Syria needs right now, and our relationship with him is good.”
Trump revealed that his meeting with Netanyahu yielded several key conclusions. He noted the extensive work already accomplished together and affirmed that this collaboration would continue. Addressing Netanyahu, who faces potential charges at the International Criminal Court related to alleged war crimes in Gaza, Trump declared, “We will always be with you, and we will stand by your side,” while simultaneously emphasizing his commitment to achieving peace in the Middle East.
Turning to the Palestinian issue, Trump threatened Hamas with severe consequences if they fail to disarm, providing what he termed a limited timeframe for compliance. He asserted that certain nations who signed the Gaza agreement, predicated on Hamas’ disarmament, would be responsible for dismantling the group’s arsenal if they refused to comply.
While acknowledging Israel’s adherence to its commitments within the Gaza agreement and indicating agreement with Netanyahu on “most things,” Trump conceded that a complete consensus remained elusive regarding the issue of settler violence in the occupied West Bank.
The President also addressed the actions of Hezbollah in Lebanon, describing them as “unacceptable” and stating he is watching Lebanon’s efforts to disarm the group. He further asserted that Iran’s power has significantly diminished and vowed to prevent its resurgence, threatening renewed military action should Iran attempt to rebuild its nuclear program. However, he also expressed openness to engaging in discussions with Tehran.
Trump concluded by mentioning the relationship between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Netanyahu, without elaborating further on the dynamics.
