Trump Tells Netanyahu: Stop Gaza War, Avoid Iran Escalation/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Trump has urged Israeli PM Netanyahu to end the war in Gaza and avoid escalating tensions with Iran. The private call comes as U.S.-Iran nuclear talks and Gaza ceasefire negotiations advance. Rising friction between the U.S. and Israel could redefine Middle East alliances.
Gaza Ceasefire Talks Quick Looks
- Trump told Netanyahu to end the Gaza war and halt Iran strike talk.
- Phone call happened Monday; Trump later called it “very smooth.”
- The U.S. is pushing for an Iran nuclear deal and Gaza ceasefire via indirect Hamas talks.
- Netanyahu’s top ministers convened Tuesday night to review “progress” in ceasefire negotiations.
- Hamas says it hasn’t rejected U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff’s proposal but wants firmer guarantees.
- Netanyahu insists on Hamas disarmament and full withdrawal as non-negotiable.
- Trump opposes military escalation and wants secrecy over Israeli Iran strike plans.
- U.S. skipped Israel on recent Middle East tour, further widening rift.
- Trump’s Gaza Riviera plan and push for Abraham Accords expansion remain controversial.
- U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee claims two-state solution is no longer American policy.
Trump Tells Netanyahu to End Gaza War – Deep Look
JERUSALEM — President Donald Trump has privately urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to halt the war in Gaza and stop signaling potential military action against Iran, according to a source familiar with the call. The discussion, held on Monday, reflects growing U.S. pressure on Israel as Washington pursues a nuclear deal with Iran and a Gaza ceasefire through indirect talks with Hamas.
Trump described the call as “very smooth,” but it came with a clear message: the Gaza war must end, and public hints about a possible Israeli strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities must stop. Trump reportedly expressed frustration over leaked Israeli plans for military action and warned that continued rhetoric could derail delicate regional diplomacy.
This intervention marks a critical juncture in the 20-month Gaza conflict, which began after the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack that left over 1,200 Israelis dead. Since then, Israeli operations in Gaza have resulted in tens of thousands of Palestinian casualties and widespread international criticism.
Meanwhile, Hamas officials confirmed they have not rejected a ceasefire proposal from U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff but have requested amendments for stronger security guarantees. Senior Hamas leader Khalil Al-Hayya stated that any agreement must include a permanent ceasefire and Israeli troop withdrawal from Gaza.
Netanyahu, who convened a closed-door session with his key cabinet Tuesday night, acknowledged “some progress” in negotiations. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar echoed that sentiment but cautioned that past experience made it difficult to gauge the real viability of the latest discussions.
In contrast to Netanyahu’s continued focus on Hamas’ total defeat, Trump is now prioritizing regional stabilization and diplomacy. The U.S. is simultaneously pushing forward a new round of indirect nuclear talks with Iran and expanding its outreach through the Abraham Accords. However, Saudi Arabia—the prize in normalization efforts—has remained firm: no deal without a clear path to Palestinian statehood.
U.S. policy has visibly shifted. Ambassador Mike Huckabee declared this week that the two-state solution is no longer an American objective, stating bluntly,
“There’s no room for it. Not in our lifetime.” Huckabee has previously supported Israeli settlements and denied the existence of a legitimate Palestinian identity.
The latest conversation between Trump and Netanyahu adds to a growing list of policy divergences. The U.S. recently bypassed Israel during a Middle East tour, lifted sanctions on Syria, and brokered a short-lived ceasefire with Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen—moves that Israel opposed.
Further complicating matters, Trump’s past statements floated a controversial “Gaza Riviera” vision, which included U.S. control of the coastal enclave and potential displacement of Palestinian residents—a proposal met with backlash globally.
As ceasefire negotiations grind forward and international criticism mounts, Trump’s latest call may be a turning point in the diplomatic direction of the conflict. Whether Netanyahu complies remains to be seen.
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