According to American sources reported by Axios, former President Donald Trump made a phone call to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday evening, following Hamas’s response to his peace proposal for Gaza, which was characterized as “yes, but.”
These sources indicated that Trump viewed the Palestinian reply as “good news” and an opportunity to move towards a peace agreement; however, Netanyahu did not share the same enthusiasm.
An American official familiar with the conversation stated that Netanyahu responded to Trump by saying, “This means nothing and is not worth celebrating,” to which Trump sharply replied, “I don’t understand why you’re always negative; this is a win, seize it.”
This exchange, confirmed by two American officials, highlights Trump’s determination to persuade Netanyahu to end the conflict if Hamas agreed to continue negotiations regarding the U.S. plan.
Hamas’s Position and Israeli Reaction
In an official statement, Hamas announced its readiness to release all Israeli captives in exchange for an end to the war and a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, while insisting on negotiating the specifics of the agreement.
During closed consultations held on Friday evening, Netanyahu informed his aides that he interpreted Hamas’s response as a rejection of the U.S. plan and expressed his intention to coordinate with Washington to unify their stance, aiming to avoid any impression that Hamas had provided a positive response.
On the other hand, sources within the U.S. administration indicated that Trump saw Hamas’s response as a genuine opportunity for a deal, fearing that Netanyahu’s hardline interpretation might undermine the diplomatic path Washington aimed to initiate.
Details of the Call
American officials noted that Trump was taken aback by Netanyahu’s lukewarm reaction during the call, which annoyed him. Trump later told Axios on Saturday, “I told him this was his chance to win, and in the end, he agreed. He has no other choice. With me, he needs to be on board.”
Hours after the call, Trump released a statement urging Israel to halt its airstrikes on Gaza, followed three hours later by Israeli orders to cease the strikes, interpreted as an indirect response to the U.S. position.
Exchanges and New Consultations
The next day, Netanyahu was eager to publicly display alignment with Trump, releasing a video in which he praised the U.S. president and his efforts for peace. However, American sources confirmed that the call was “intense and contentious,” with Trump expressing frustration over the Israeli position.
Despite the tension, officials affirmed that both sides managed to reach a mutual understanding, stating, “Ultimately, President Trump wants peace, which is the most important thing. The administration is working closely with Israel to achieve that.”
The Next Steps
Trump continues to push both parties toward a final agreement, warning Hamas against procrastination or retreating from its commitments and emphasizing that the deal “will not be on the table forever” without progress on the hostage issue.
According to sources, the U.S. administration has convinced Israel to agree to an updated initial withdrawal plan from parts of Gaza, paving the way for a new round of indirect negotiations in Cairo today, featuring Trump envoys Steve Mnuchin and Jared Kushner in an effort to advance the deal’s implementation this week.