In a significant development in the ongoing Gaza conflict, US President Donald Trump reportedly engaged in a heated private phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, urging him to adopt a more optimistic stance toward a potential peace deal with Hamas. The conversation, which took place on Friday, came shortly after Hamas conditionally agreed to the latest Gaza peace proposal, marking a critical moment in the nearly two-year-long conflict. According to a report by Axios, Trump expressed frustration with Netanyahu’s dismissive attitude, highlighting a divergence in their perspectives on the peace process and underscoring the US leader’s determination to push for a resolution.
The exchange occurred as both Tel Aviv and Hamas appeared to be inching closer to a potential agreement, a rare moment of hope in a conflict that has caused immense suffering and loss on both sides. Hamas’s response to the peace plan, which included conditional acceptance of key terms, was viewed by Trump as a significant step forward. The US president, eager to capitalize on this development, called Netanyahu to share what he described as “good news.” However, Netanyahu’s reaction was far from enthusiastic. According to Axios, which cited a US official with knowledge of the call, the Israeli leader downplayed the significance of Hamas’s response, stating, “There’s nothing to celebrate” and insisting that “it doesn’t mean anything.”
Trump, known for his direct and often blunt communication style, reportedly grew frustrated with Netanyahu’s pessimism. The Axios report quotes the US official as saying that Trump “fired back” at the Israeli prime minister, exclaiming, “I don’t know why you’re always so f***ing negative. This is a win. Take it.” The sharp rebuke underscored Trump’s belief that Hamas’s partial acceptance of the peace proposal represented a crucial opportunity to move toward a resolution, particularly after concerns that the group might reject the plan outright. For Trump, the conditional agreement was a tangible step forward, one that could pave the way for a broader deal to end the conflict.
Netanyahu, however, viewed Hamas’s response as tantamount to a rejection. According to officials cited by Axios, the Israeli leader pressed for a joint statement from Washington and Tel Aviv that would frame Hamas’s response as a refusal to engage meaningfully with the proposal. This approach was intended to counter any narrative suggesting that Hamas was acting in good faith. Netanyahu’s skepticism reflects the deep mistrust that has characterized Israel’s relationship with Hamas throughout the conflict, as well as the domestic political pressures he faces in maintaining a hardline stance against the group.
In contrast, Trump saw the moment as a potential breakthrough. The US president’s optimism was driven by his belief that Hamas’s conditional acceptance could serve as a foundation for further negotiations. His frustration with Netanyahu’s reluctance to embrace this possibility highlighted a broader tension between the two leaders’ approaches to the peace process. While Netanyahu remained cautious, Trump was determined to seize the opportunity to broker a deal, particularly as his administration has prioritized ending the Gaza conflict as part of its broader Middle East strategy.
The private call was followed by swift action from Trump, who publicly called on Israel to halt its airstrikes in Gaza. Notably, Netanyahu complied with the request just three hours later, a move that signaled the US president’s influence over Israeli policy and his commitment to creating conditions conducive to negotiations. The cessation of airstrikes was a critical step in de-escalating the violence and setting the stage for upcoming talks.
In a subsequent interview with Axios, Trump expressed confidence that a peace deal in Gaza was within reach. “We are close,” he stated, emphasizing his intention to finalize an agreement in the coming days. Reflecting on his conversation with Netanyahu, Trump revealed that he had framed the situation as a “chance for victory” for the Israeli leader. “I said, ‘Bibi, this is your chance for victory.’ He was fine with it... He’s got to be fine with it. He has no choice. With me, you got to be fine,” Trump was quoted as saying. The remarks suggest that Trump believes he successfully persuaded Netanyahu to align with his vision for the peace process, though the Israeli leader’s reservations may persist.
The momentum toward a potential deal has led to the scheduling of indirect talks in Egypt, set to begin on Monday. Delegations from Hamas, Israel, and the United States will convene in Cairo and the resort town of Sharm El-Sheikh, with mediators from Egypt and Qatar facilitating the discussions. A senior Hamas official confirmed to the news agency AFP that the group’s lead negotiator, Khalil al-Hayya, would meet with Egyptian and Qatari mediators in Cairo on Monday morning to lay the groundwork for broader negotiations. The talks are expected to focus on establishing a timeline for a temporary truce and defining the conditions for the first phase of the peace plan, which includes the release of 47 hostages held in Gaza in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian detainees.
Trump has been vocal about the urgency of the negotiations, urging all parties to “move fast” to secure the release of captives and bring an end to the war. On Sunday, the US president took to his Truth Social platform to praise the “very positive discussions with Hamas” and allied nations, including Arab and Muslim countries. “I am told that the first phase should be completed this week, and I am asking everyone to MOVE FAST,” Trump wrote, signaling his determination to see the process through to a successful conclusion.
The proposed peace plan represents a complex and delicate undertaking, with the first phase centered on a hostage-prisoner exchange that could pave the way for a broader cessation of hostilities. The release of 47 hostages, many of whom have been held in Gaza since the conflict escalated nearly two years ago, is a key priority for Israel and the international community. In return, the release of hundreds of Palestinian detainees held by Israel would address a core demand of Hamas, potentially creating goodwill for further negotiations.
The talks in Egypt are seen as a critical test of whether the parties can translate their conditional agreements into concrete progress. For Hamas, the negotiations offer an opportunity to secure concessions and alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where the conflict has caused widespread devastation. For Israel, the release of hostages is a non-negotiable objective, but any deal must also address security concerns and ensure that Hamas does not exploit the truce to regroup or rearm. The United States, under Trump’s leadership, is positioning itself as a central player in brokering the agreement, leveraging its influence with both Israel and regional mediators like Egypt and Qatar.
The broader context of the Gaza conflict adds further complexity to the negotiations. The war, which has raged for nearly two years, has resulted in significant loss of life, displacement, and destruction on both sides. International pressure for a resolution has intensified, with the humanitarian toll in Gaza drawing particular attention. Trump’s proactive approach to the peace process reflects his administration’s recognition of the need to address these challenges while advancing US interests in the region.
As the talks in Egypt approach, all eyes will be on the ability of the negotiators to bridge the gaps between Hamas’s conditional acceptance and Israel’s cautious stance. Trump’s insistence on moving quickly suggests that he views the current moment as a rare window of opportunity to achieve a breakthrough. However, the success of the negotiations will depend on the willingness of all parties to compromise and the ability of mediators to navigate the complex dynamics of the conflict.
In conclusion, the reported exchange between Trump and Netanyahu highlights the challenges and opportunities inherent in the Gaza peace process. While the US president’s optimism and determination have driven progress toward a potential deal, Netanyahu’s skepticism reflects the deep-seated mistrust that continues to shape the conflict. With indirect talks set to begin in Egypt, the coming days will be critical in determining whether the parties can seize this moment to end the war and secure the release of captives, or whether longstanding divisions will once again stall progress.
