US President Donald Trump has asked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to bring an end to the Gaza war and avoid provoking Iran, a person familiar with their last phone call has disclosed.
The two leaders had talks on Monday, and Trump went on to call the conversation “very well, very smooth.” His overtures are being made as Washington aims to seal a nuclear deal with Iran and remains engaged in indirect talks with Hamas for a Gaza ceasefire.
In Netanyahu’s office, Israeli officials convened on Tuesday night to review “some progress” in the ceasefire talks. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar confirmed progress in obtaining a hostage agreement, but he cooled expectations.
Meanwhile, Hamas reiterated its openness to a ceasefire based on a proposal by US envoy Steve Witkoff, but insisted on stronger guarantees to prevent future Israeli attacks. Hamas demands include a permanent ceasefire and full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
The call between Netanyahu and Trump also referred to recent Israeli comments regarding the threat of a military attack on Iran’s nuclear sites. Trump supposedly asked Netanyahu to refrain from making public statements regarding such plans, as they will deter sensitive diplomatic negotiations with Tehran. Netanyahu was still skeptical regarding Iran’s motives, accusing it of procrastination in order not to engage in substantive negotiation.
As fighting in Gaza exceeds 20 months, tensions between Tel Aviv and Washington increase. The Trump administration’s actions such as skirting Israel on Middle Eastern tours, relaxing sanctions on Syria, and slapping a failed ceasefire on Yemen’s Houthi rebels have further fueled tensions.
Trump is also working to resuscitate and enlarge the Abraham Accords, but Saudi Arabia is resolute on demanding tangible measures toward Palestinian statehood before normalizing ties with Israel a position contrary to present US policy under Ambassador Mike Huckabee, who said the two-state solution was dead.
