Trump hopes to reach phase two of Gaza ceasefire ‘very quickly’

Donald Trump said he hoped to reach the second phase of the Gaza peace plan “very quickly” and warned that Hamas would “pay a hell of a price” if it did not disarm quickly.

The US president, whose 20-point peace plan calls for the disarmament of the militant group, made the comments while holding talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Florida on Monday.

At a press conference after his meeting with Netanyahu, Trump said that Israel was “100 percent executing the plan” despite its ongoing attacks in Gaza.

The US president also said his country could support another major attack on Iran if it continues to rebuild its ballistic missile or nuclear weapons programs.

When asked how quickly Hamas and Israel should move to the second phase of the peace plan, Trump said: “As quickly as possible. But there must be disarmament.” he said.

Speaking about Hamas, he said: “If they don’t disarm as, as they agreed to do, they agreed to it, and then there will be hell to pay for them.

“They must be disarmed in a fairly short period of time.”

Trump also said reconstruction in Gaza “could begin very soon.”

The Gaza peace plan came into force in October. In the second phase, a technocratic government will be established in the devastated region, Hamas will be disarmed, and Israeli troops will be withdrawn. The reconstruction of Gaza will begin from now on.

But critics have suggested that Netanyahu may try to delay the process of the plan and instead press for Hamas to disarm before Israeli troops withdraw.

The Israeli prime minister has been accused of not wanting to deal seriously with the issue of the political future of the Palestinians.

Hamas officials said complete disarmament must occur alongside progress towards an independent Palestinian state.

Asked if he was concerned that Israel was not moving quickly enough to advance to the second phase of the plan, Trump said he was “going with the plan.”

“I’m not interested in anything Israel does, I’m interested in what other people are doing or not doing,” he added.

At least 414 Palestinians have been killed by the Israeli army in Gaza since the ceasefire came into force, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.

The Israeli army, which controls more than half of Gaza, said it opened fire only in response to ceasefire violations. He blamed Hamas for the killing of three Israeli soldiers during the same period.

During the press conference, Trump also warned that the United States could launch more attacks on Iran if it is determined that Iran is using different sites to develop nuclear weapons.

In June, Trump claims US air and missile strikes ‘destroyed’ Iran’s nuclear facilities. Iran has rejected efforts to develop nuclear weapons.

“I hope they’re not trying to build up again, because if they do, we’ll have no choice but to eliminate that buildup,” he said.

Trump said he “read” the country used “probably different sites” for those targeted over the summer.

Iran, which fought a 12-day war with Israel in June, condemned the reports on Monday as a “psychological operation” against Tehran.

He stated that he was fully prepared to defend himself and warned that renewed aggression would “lead to harsher consequences” for Israel.

Trump and Netanyahu’s talks also discussed other regional tension points, including Syria and the Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon.

Netanyahu said Monday that Israel was willing to maintain a peaceful border with Syria, and Trump said he hoped Israel would get along with President Ahmed al-Shara, who came to power after the ouster of longtime dictator Bashar al-Assad last year.

Israel was suspicious of the new leader, who was once a member of Al Qaeda, and bombed government buildings in Damascus in July.

“Well, I hope so. [Netanyahu] “We’re going to get along well with Syria because Syria’s new president is working hard to do a good job,” Trump said.

“He really is. I know he’s a tough nut. And you know, you’re not going to find a choir boy to run Syria.”

Trump signed an executive order in June to end US sanctions on Syria.