In a lavish meeting at Mar-a-Lago that blurred the lines between diplomacy and personal tribute, US President Donald Trump delivered a stark ultimatum to Hamas: disarm immediately or face consequences he described simply as “hell to pay.”

The high-stakes summit comes just months after a fragile truce halted the devastating two-year Gaza war. For observers in Nairobi, the renewed hardline rhetoric raises fears of a conflict reignition—a scenario that historically spikes global oil prices and piles pressure on the Kenyan Shilling.

Unprecedented Honors

In what observers termed a “bravura display of mutual admiration,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Trump would receive the Israel Prize. This marks a historic break from protocol; since its inception in the 1950s, the country’s highest civilian honor has never been awarded to a non-Israeli.

The gesture underscores the tightening bond between the two leaders, even as international mediators struggle to keep the peace process alive. The visit to Florida was intended to solidify US backing, and by all accounts, Netanyahu succeeded.

The Disarmament Ultimatum

The core of the discussion revolved around the stalled second phase of the Gaza peace plan. When pressed on whether Israel should withdraw troops before Hamas fully disarms, Trump’s stance was unequivocal.

“If they don’t disarm as they agreed to do—they agreed to it—then there’ll be hell to pay for them,” Trump told reporters, emphasizing that disarmament must happen “within a fairly short period of time.”

He dismissed questions regarding Israeli troop withdrawals as “a separate subject,” a rhetorical maneuver that effectively decouples Israeli obligations from Palestinian demands in the eyes of the US administration.

Washington vs. Mar-a-Lago

The public unity on display in Florida contrasts sharply with reports emerging from Washington. According to Axios, senior Trump administration officials have grown increasingly exasperated with Netanyahu, alleging that he has taken steps to “undermine the fragile ceasefire and stall the peace process.”

The disconnect suggests a complex diplomatic game:

• Publicly: Trump offers unconditional support, stating Israel has “lived up to the plan, 100%.”
• Privately: Officials are pushing for the rapid establishment of a Palestinian technocratic government to stabilize Gaza.
• Globally: Markets remain jittery, as any collapse in the ceasefire could disrupt Red Sea shipping routes, directly impacting the cost of goods arriving at the Port of Mombasa.

Despite the reported friction behind the scenes, Trump appeared unbothered by the nuances of the ceasefire terms during the press briefing. “I am not concerned about anything that Israel is doing,” he asserted, signaling that for now, the White House remains firmly in Netanyahu’s corner.