Standing next to Netanyahu at Mar-a-Lago, Trump says Hamas must be disarmed | LIVE

Trump on Hamas: Well, we talked about Hamas, and we talked about disarmament, and they're gonna be given a very short period of time to disarm. 


And we'll see how that works out. Steve Whitcoff and Jared Kushner will be in charge of that. from our side, uh, but if they don't disarm as as they agreed to do, they agreed to it, and then they'll be held to pay for them.

And we don't want that. 
We're not looking for that. But they have to disarm within a fairly short period of time.

The joint press conference between the Israeli Prime Minister and the US President has begun

"President Trump has accomplished remarkable things in the Middle East because we work together," Netanyahu said.

"We exchange ideas, sometimes we have different points of view, but we always reach an agreement. Most of the time, we agree."

"Thank you for your friendship, thank you for your support," he concluded.

CNN and The New York Times verified Donald Trump's comments.

Both media outlets report that the U.S. president claimed that "no hostages had been released from Gaza under the Biden administration."

This statement is incorrect: during the 2023 cease-fire, 105 hostages were released, including 81 Israelis, 23 Thais, and one Filipino.

Rubio and Netanyahu discussed 'regional security' and cooperation 'for peace.'

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Florida to "discuss regional security, economic cooperation, and the fight against anti-Semitism," State Department Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott said in a statement.

He added that "the two leaders emphasized the importance of continuing cooperation to promote peace and stability in the Middle East, in line with President Trump's 20-point peace plan."

Netanyahu hails Trump as 'the best friend Israel has ever had'

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised U.S. President Donald Trump upon his arrival at Mar-a-Lago on Monday, CNN reports.

"I will say it again and again: we have never had a friend like President Trump in the White House. There is no comparison," Netanyahu told reporters.

"I think Israel is very fortunate to have President Trump as the leader of the United States, and I would even say as the leader of the free world at this time," he added.

"This is not only a great opportunity for Israel, but for the world."

Trump mentions 'significant progress' at the start of his meeting with Netanyahu

The meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began shortly before 2 p.m. (ET), with Donald Trump suggesting to reporters that "significant progress" had already been made, CNN reports.

"We've already made a lot of progress. We've had a meeting of about five minutes and we've already solved three of the difficulties," the U.S. president said before the press was quickly asked to leave the room.

He had indicated earlier that he intended to discuss "five major issues" with Benjamin Netanyahu during their meeting in Florida.

Herzog has not spoken to Trump since Netanyahu's pardon request

Israeli President Isaac Herzog has not had any conversations with U.S. President Donald Trump since a pardon request for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was submitted several weeks ago, Herzog's office said on Monday.

The statement comes shortly after Trump claimed that Herzog had told him that a pardon for Netanyahu was "in the works."

Supporters of Syrian authorities armed with knives and machetes in Latakia, according to the SOHR

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) and several regional media outlets, supporters of the new Syrian authorities entered the Raml al-Shamali neighborhood of Latakia on Monday evening armed with knives and machetes.

These incidents, which have not yet been officially commented on, come in the wake of Alawite demonstrations triggered by Friday's deadly attack on a mosque targeting this community.

The rallies degenerated into clashes with security forces, in which four people were killed, according to the official SANA news agency.

Trump reiterates US position on Hamas disarmament

Donald Trump reiterated on Monday that Hamas must be disarmed, shortly after the Palestinian group reaffirmed that it would "not give up" its weapons.

"There must be a disarmament of Hamas," insisted the U.S. president from his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, where he hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for a meeting focused in particular on the future of Gaza.

Regarding Gaza, the U.S. president said he hoped to move "very quickly" to the second phase of the plan.

Trump: If Iran tries to rebuild [its stockpile], 'we will have to take them out.'

Shortly before his meeting with the Israeli prime minister, U.S. President Donald Trump said he had "heard that Iran is trying to rebuild," according to Reuters.

"If they do, we will have to stop them," he added. "I would support a swift attack on Iran if it continues to strengthen its nuclear program."

"Iran should make a deal, but sometimes that doesn't happen...," he added.

Netanyahu at Mar-a-Lago

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived shortly before 1:30 p.m. local time to Mar-a-Lago, Donald Trump's residence in Palm Beach, Florida, for his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump.

This is the fifth meeting in the United States between the two leaders, who are close allies, since Donald Trump returned to the White House nearly a year ago.

Syria officially launches its new currency

The new Syrian currency was launched today during an official ceremony at the Damascus Conference Palace, according to the Syrian news agency SANA.

Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa and the governor of the Central Bank of Syria, Abdul Qadir al-Hasriya, unveiled the new currency.

"The replacement of the currency marks the end of a past stage and the beginning of a new phase to which the Syrian people aspire," Sharaa said.

According to him, "the new currency will facilitate commercial transactions, reduce dependence on the dollar and strengthen confidence in the economy in the long term."

The armed wing of Hamas reaffirms that it "will not give up" its weapons.

The spokesperson for the armed wing of Hamas reaffirmed that the group "will not give up" its weapons ahead of a meeting between Trump and Netanyahu in the United States devoted in particular to the future of Gaza.

"Our people are defending themselves and will not give up their weapons as long as the occupation continues. They will not surrender, even if they have to fight with their bare hands," said the new spokesman for the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades in a video posted on his Telegram channel.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is currently meeting with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in Florida, Netanyahu's press office announced on X.

Prior to this meeting, Netanyahu met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Ahead of a meeting between Trump and Netanyahu later today, the armed wing of Hamas reaffirms that it "will not give up" its weapons.

Somali president to visit Turkey on Tuesday

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud will visit Turkey, a close ally of his country, four days after Israel's recognition of Somaliland, the Turkish presidency announced.

During the trip, "discussions will also focus on the current situation in Somalia in the fight against terrorism, the measures taken by the Somali federal government to achieve national unity, and regional developments," said Burhanettin Duran, the communications director for the Turkish presidency, on Monday.

Haykal welcomes Iran's ambassador to Lebanon in Yarzeh

The commander-in-chief of the Lebanese army, Rodolph Haykal, received Iran's ambassador to Lebanon, Mojtaba Amani, at his office in Yarzeh on Monday, according to the state-run National News Agency (NNA).

Discussions focused "on the general situation in Lebanon and the region," according to NNA. The meeting comes as troops are expected to complete the disarmament of Hezbollah south of the Litani River this week, in accordance with the plan presented to the Cabinet on Sept. 5.

Extreme right-wing Smotrich lashes out at Israeli Supreme Court President

Israel's Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said on Monday that Supreme Court President Yitzhak Amit is "a violent, ruthless, megalomaniac."

The minister continued by saying: "He is stealing Israeli democracy ... allowing himself to do things that have never been done before, and the result will be that we will run him over. There will be no choice," Haaretz reported.

Hamas officially announces the killing of its spokesperson, Abu Obaida, killed in August

The Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, officially announced today the death of its spokesperson Hudhayfa al-Kahlout, better known by his nom de guerre as “Abu Obaida,” and its Chief of Staff Mohammad Sinwar, in addition to the commander of the Rafah Brigade Mohammed Shabana, the head of the military manufacturing department Raed Saad, and Abu Omar al-Suri.

In a video published on Telegram, Abu Obaida’s successor appeared in a recorded message which lasted more than 21 minutes. The new spokesperson for the Qassam Brigades said that Mohammad Sinwar was killed alongside Mohammad Shabana.

He also stated that Sinwar had led the Qassam Brigades during an extremely difficult period, succeeding Mohammed Diab Ibrahim al-Masri, better known as Mohammed Deif.

Hamas says it ‘trusts Trump’ ahead of Netanyahu meeting

Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem said the group “trusts” U.S. President Donald Trump just hours before Trump’s highly anticipated meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

In remarks to Saudi channel al-Arabiya, Qassem said Hamas trusts Trump’s ability to bring peace to Gaza and the region, adding that the United States is the only party capable of pressuring Israel to uphold agreements.

He called on Trump to continue pressuring Israel to fully implement the so-called “Trump peace plan” for Gaza, as its first phase nears completion.

The agreement’s second phase, signed in October, includes provisions for a further Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and the deployment of an International Stabilization Force (ISF) in the Palestinian territory.

Tehran shopkeepers protest as Iranian rial hits record low

Shopkeepers in Tehran closed their businesses for a second consecutive day on Monday, gathering to protest the worsening economic situation and the rapid depreciation of Iran’s national currency, according to local media cited by AFP.

The Iranian rial fell to a new historic low on Sunday on the informal market, trading at more than 1.4 million rials to the dollar and 1.7 million to the euro, compared with around 820,000 and 855,000 respectively a year ago.

The sharp decline has fueled hyperinflation and severe price volatility, with some prices rising dramatically from one day to the next.

Iran’s Fars news agency warned that the protests could be exploited for destabilization purposes, amid growing concern over the country’s economic trajectory.

Azerbaijan rejects Israel’s recognition of Somaliland

Azerbaijan has voiced its full support for Somalia’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, according to a statement from its foreign affairs ministry cited by the Azerbaijani Press Agency (APA).

The ministry added that Israel’s recognition of the Somaliland region is contrary to international law and the U.N. Charter, emphasizing the importance of respecting established norms and principles in global relations.

Three Turkish police and six IS members killed in anti-IS operation

Three Turkish police officers were killed and nine others wounded during a raid on Monday against Islamic State (IS) militants in Yalova, northwest Turkey, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said, AFP reports.

AFP also affirmed six IS members were killed, all Turkish nationals, while five women and six children with them were evacuated safely.

The operation was part of simultaneous raids on 108 addresses across 15 provinces. Yerlikaya said IS operatives opened fire on police during the early-morning operation.

Hamas to deliver speech ahead of Israeli-US meeting

The al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, announced on Telegram that they will deliver a speech today at 4 p.m. Gaza time.

The timing is notable, as it is scheduled one hour before the Israeli Prime Minister is set to meet with U.S. Secretary of State Mark Rubio.

The upcoming address has raised attention amid ongoing tensions in the region, with analysts watching closely for any statements that could signal shifts in policy or escalation.

China opposes Israel’s recognition of Somaliland

China’s foreign affairs ministry said on Monday that Beijing opposes any attempt to separate territories in Somalia and supports the country’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity, Reuters reported.

“No country should encourage or support internal separatist forces in another country for its own selfish interests,” said ministry spokesperson Lin Jian at a press conference, calling on Somaliland authorities to stop their separatist activities and their collusion with external forces.

The tents of displaced Palestinians sheltering them from the harsh winter conditions are set-up along the sea front in Gaza City, an PHOTO ENTRY December 28, 2025. The majority of Gaza's 2.4 million people have been displaced, often multiple times, b

The majority of Gaza’s 2.4 million residents have been displaced, often multiple times, by the war triggered by Hamas’ attack in southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.

With many displaced people living in tent camps, serious concerns are emerging for the winter.

Israeli attacks in the South

Overnight from Sunday to Monday, the Israeli army demolished an uninhabited house, already partially destroyed by previous strikes, in the al-Kaysar neighborhood of Mais al-Jabal (Marjayoun district), reports our correspondent in Southern Lebanon.

Israeli artillery also fired three flares into the sky above Birket al-Naqqar, south of the border town of Shebaa (Hasbaya), he added.

The situation on the ground in Southern Lebanon has remained relatively calm since Friday, while bad weather has settled across the country in recent days.

Houthis threaten Israel after its recognition of Somaliland

The leader of the Houthi rebels in Yemen, Abdel Malek al-Houthi, condemned Israel’s recognition of Somaliland as an independent state, declaring that “any Israeli presence in Somaliland will be a military target for our forces.”

In a statement broadcast on the Houthi channel Al-Masirah and shared on his X account, the rebel leader added: “The Israeli enemy, through this announcement, seeks to conduct hostile activities that threaten the security of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.”

“We call on the Red Sea littoral states, as well as the Arab and Islamic world, to take concrete measures to prevent the Israeli enemy from violating Somalia’s sovereignty,” he added.

Israeli PM arrives in Florida for official US visit

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu landed overnight from Sunday to Monday in Florida for an official U.S. visit announced several weeks ago.

He was welcomed by Danny Danon, Israel’s permanent representative to the United Nations, according to a post on X by the diplomat.

He is scheduled to meet Donald Trump on Monday at his luxurious Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida at 1:00 p.m. (8:00 p.m. Beirut time), following an earlier meeting at 10:00 a.m. (5:00 p.m. Beirut time), according to Israeli media.

This marks the fifth meeting in the United States between the Israeli Prime Minister and the U.S. President since the latter returned to the White House.

According to a source cited by Haaretz, Benjamin Netanyahu had considered opening the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt in both directions as a goodwill gesture ahead of his meeting with the U.S. president, but ultimately abandoned the plan after opposition from National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of news in the Middle East

We will follow developments in southern Lebanon, Gaza, Syria, and the rest of the region.

We will also track news related to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to the United States, as well as the repercussions of Israel’s recognition of Somaliland last Friday.