President Donald Trump speaks during a news conference with Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Mar-a-Lago, Monday. (Photo: AP) US President Donald Trump said the United States could back another strike on Iran if Tehran restarts its ballistic missile or nuclear weapons programmes, and warned Hamas of serious consequences if it refuses to disarm, News agency Reuters reported.
Trump spoke alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after their meeting at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. He said, as quoted by Reuters, that he had been reading reports suggesting Iran “may be building up weapons at different sites” after a major US strike in June.
Trump added, “We know exactly where they’re going, what they’re doing… I hope they’re not doing it because we don’t want to waste fuel on a B-2.”
Trump said their talks also covered efforts to advance the Gaza ceasefire deal that he helped broker, and Israeli concerns about Iran and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
A second phase in Gaza?
Trump said he wanted to move to the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which includes the deployment of international peacekeeping forces in the territory. Israel and Hamas accuse each other of violating the agreement, and Hamas has not disarmed.
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Trump said Hamas was responsible for delays in the process and warned, as quoted by Reuters: “There will be hell to pay” if the group does not give up its weapons. Israel has said it may return to military action if disarmament does not happen through talks.
Netanyahu said earlier that he would continue to raise Iran’s activities with Trump, and that Israel is cautious about its rivals rebuilding their strength after recent conflicts.
Next steps in Gaza ceasefire plan
Trump’s plan for Gaza calls for Israel to withdraw from the territory and for Hamas to surrender its weapons and step back from governing. The first phase included a partial Israeli pull-back, more humanitarian aid and exchanges of hostages and detainees.
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An Israeli official said Netanyahu wants the remains of the last Israeli hostage returned before moving to the next stage of the plan. Trump said he and Netanyahu did not fully agree on the situation in the West Bank but did not explain the differences.
Turkey, Syria also discussed
Trump said he also discussed with Netanyahu the possible deployment of Turkish peacekeepers in Gaza. He said he believed Israel would manage its relations with Syria’s new leadership, while Israel has remained cautious about developments there.
