In First for Foreigner, Trump to Receive Israel Prize, Issues Ultimatum to Hamas in Meeting With Netanyahu

US President Donald Trump issued a stern warning to Hamas on Monday, declaring that the terrorist organization has only a brief window to disarm or face severe repercussions.

Speaking at a press conference following a meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at his Mar-a-Lago estate, Trump stated that Hamas “will be given a very short period of time to disarm” and emphasized that the group had already agreed to this requirement.

The meeting marks the sixth time this year that the two leaders have met, with Trump hosting Netanyahu far more than any other foreign dignitary.

“If they don’t disarm, as they agreed to do, they agreed to it, then there will be hell to pay for them,” Trump said, adding that senior White House envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner would oversee the disarmament effort from the American side.

The meeting between Trump and Netanyahu, which the Israeli leader described as “very, very productive,” covered multiple aspects of the ongoing situation in Gaza and broader Middle East peace efforts. Trump indicated that he and Netanyahu “came to a lot of conclusions” during their discussions, noting there was “very little difference in what we’re looking at and where we want to be, where we want to go.”

In a notable diplomatic gesture, Netanyahu invited Trump to visit Israel on Independence Day to receive the Israel Prize, marking an unprecedented honor for a foreign leader. The award will be presented in a newly created Peace category.

“You have been extraordinary in your friendship and your support for Israel. Your principled positions. Your willingness to cut through, to get to the essence of things,” Netanyahu told Trump, praising the partnership between the two leaders.

Trump expressed surprise and appreciation for the honor, while Netanyahu explained that Israel decided to break convention by awarding its top civilian honor to a non-Israeli, acknowledging that Trump himself “has broken so many conventions.”

During the Independence Day ceremony call from Education Minister Yoav Kisch informing him of the award, Trump said he would consider attending the ceremony in Israel.

“We have peace in the Middle East, and we’re going to try to keep it that way,” Trump said, expressing confidence in the continued US-Israel partnership.

Netanyahu emphasized that the strong partnership with Trump “has allowed us to do enormous things” and that while the leaders sometimes have different ideas, “we work it out.”

Trump said he’d support Israeli military action if Iran continues its nuclear program.

“If [Iran] will continue with the missiles — yes. [And if they continue with] the [production of] nuclear [capabilities] — fast. One will be yes, absolutely. The other, we’ll do it immediately,” Trump says, indicating that the US could again join Israel in such an attack on Iran.

Ali Shamkhani, a senior adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, issued a defiant response after Trump said during a press briefing alongside Netanyahu that he would approve an Israeli strike on the Islamic Republic if it continues advancing its nuclear and missile programs.

Writing on social media, Shamkhani declared, “Iran’s ‌Missile Capability⁩ and defense are not containable or permission-based. Any aggression will face an immediate ‌Harsh Response⁩ beyond its planners’ imagination.”

When Trump was asked whether he’ll allow the reconstruction of Gaza to begin before Hamas has been disarmed, but he avoided answering directly.

“I think it’s going to begin pretty soon,” Trump says, reiterating that Gaza has “been a mess for a long time.”

“We’re going to straighten it out. We’re already starting certain things. We’re doing things with sanitary conditions,” Trump added.

Asked whether he’ll be urging Netanyahu to sign an agreement with Syria, US President Donald Trump says he hopes the Israeli premier will “get along” with the new regime there.

“I hope he’s going to get along with Syria because the new president of Syria is working very hard to do a good job,” Trump says of Ahmed al-Sharaa. “He’s a tough cookie.”

“I dropped the sanctions on Syria because otherwise they wouldn’t have had a chance. We want to see Syria survive. We’re going to be talking about Syria too,” Trump adds.