In a recent phone conversation, U.S. President Donald Trump urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to bring an end to the ongoing war in Gaza and to cease discussions regarding a potential military strike on Iran, according to a source familiar with the dialogue. Trump characterized the call as having gone “very well, very smooth.”
This plea for a shift in Israel’s approach comes in the context of Washington’s efforts to negotiate a nuclear agreement with Iran while engaging in indirect discussions with Hamas concerning a ceasefire in Gaza. CNN has sought comments from the White House regarding the situation.
Following indications of progress in ceasefire negotiations, Netanyahu convened a meeting with his key ministers on Tuesday night to discuss updates and potential next steps. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar stated earlier that there has been notable advancement in talks aimed not only at achieving a ceasefire but also at securing the return of hostages held in Gaza.
“Israel is serious in its will to secure a hostage deal. There has recently been certain progress,” Sa’ar remarked during a news conference in Jerusalem, though he added, “in light of past experience, I don’t want to overstate it at this point.”
On Thursday, Hamas expressed its willingness to consider a ceasefire proposal put forth by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, while also demanding stronger assurances against Israeli aggression. Khalil Al-Hayya, a senior official of the militant group, stated in a televised address that Hamas has not dismissed Witkoff’s proposal but has instead requested amendments that include enhanced security guarantees. The group seeks any agreement to incorporate a permanent end to hostilities in Gaza as well as the withdrawal of Israeli troops.
As the conflict persists beyond 20 months, a growing divide appears to be forming between Trump and Netanyahu regarding their respective objectives. Netanyahu has articulated ambitions for totally disarming and eliminating Hamas, whereas Trump is advocating for a cessation of hostilities. This divergence in views is occurring amidst a backdrop of increasing tensions between the U.S. and Israel on several critical matters.
In recent weeks, the Trump administration opted to bypass Israel during a trip to the Middle East, secured a ceasefire with Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen—unsuccessful in halting their missile attacks on Israel—and lifted sanctions on Syria despite Israeli warnings against legitimizing a regime composed of former jihadists.
Trump emphasized that his administration is actively working to avert chaos and loss of life in Iran, with a sixth round of nuclear talks scheduled to commence shortly. The source noted that during their conversation, Trump advised Netanyahu to refrain from discussing potential strikes on Iran and urged him to stop the leaks regarding Israeli military plans targeting Iran’s nuclear sites.
Despite persistent calls for military action against Iran’s nuclear ambitions, Netanyahu reportedly informed Trump that Iran is merely stalling and is not genuinely committed to negotiations.
The Trump administration is also focused on expanding the Abraham Accords, which have begun a new chapter in Israel’s diplomatic relations with several Arab nations, including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Morocco. However, Saudi Arabia has indicated that it will not normalize relations with Israel without tangible progress toward acknowledging Palestinian statehood and implementing a two-state solution.
U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee stated this week that a two-state solution is no longer a core objective of U.S. policy, contrasting decades of bipartisan support for such an initiative. “Unless there are some significant things that happen that change the culture, there’s no room for it,” Huckabee remarked in an interview, asserting that it would not occur “in our lifetime.”
Earlier in the conflict, Trump unveiled ambiguous aspirations for a “Gaza Riviera,” a vision portraying U.S. oversight of the coastal area along with the displacement of large segments of the Palestinian population residing there.