In a significant diplomatic engagement, US President Donald Trump hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida on Monday, December 30, 2025. The leaders convened to discuss the next phase of the Gaza peace deal, with Trump reiterating a firm demand for the Palestinian militant group Hamas to lay down its weapons.
Trump's Firm Stance on Hamas and Gaza Peace Deal
Standing alongside the Israeli premier, President Trump explicitly stated, "There has to be a disarming of Hamas." This call came directly after the armed wing of Hamas publicly vowed to retain its arsenal. The meeting focused on advancing the second stage of the peace negotiations for Gaza, a process that has seen prolonged and complex discussions.
In a related development concerning global conflicts, President Trump also commented on the alleged Ukrainian drone attack targeting Russian President Vladimir Putin's residence. Criticizing the timing of such an act, which Kyiv has denied, Trump said, "This is not the right time." He revealed that Putin himself informed him of the incident early in the morning. Emphasizing the delicate nature of ongoing peace talks to end Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, Trump added, "It's one thing to be offensive because they're offensive. It's another thing to attack his house."
Ukraine Peace Talks and US Security Guarantees
On the Ukraine front, following a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at his Florida resort on Sunday, Trump noted that Ukraine and Russia are "closer than ever before" to a settlement. However, key hurdles remain, including troop withdrawals and the status of the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant.
President Zelenskyy, in a communication via WhatsApp voice messages, disclosed that the United States is offering Ukraine security guarantees for a 15-year period as part of the proposed peace plan. Zelenskyy expressed a preference for a longer American commitment, up to 50 years, to deter future Russian aggression. He stressed, "Without security guarantees, realistically, this war will not end." Trump acknowledged that the US-led negotiations, ongoing for months, could still face collapse.
Other Critical Breaking News Updates
In a notable legal development in India, the Delhi High Court granted regular bail to social media influencer Sandeepa Virk in a money laundering case. Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma ordered Virk to furnish a personal bond of Rs 2 lakh with two sureties of the like amount. The case alleges she duped a woman of nearly Rs 6 crore by promising a film role. The court noted the case was filed almost a decade after the alleged transactions and that the main accused, Amit Gupta, remains a proclaimed offender.
Meanwhile, French authorities corrected the identity of the suspect in the Paris metro stabbing that injured three women last week. The Interior Ministry initially identified the 25-year-old as an undocumented Malian citizen but later confirmed he is a French national. The suspect, who was arrested and admitted to a psychiatric hospital, had a French passport. He had previously been imprisoned for aggravated theft and sexual assault but had not disclosed his French nationality during prior police encounters.
These events underscore a day of high-stakes diplomacy, evolving international conflicts, and significant judicial and security developments across the globe.
