Washington (Somalia Today) — U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu clashed during a phone call over a Gaza peace proposal, with Trump urging acceptance of a conditional Hamas offer as a “win,” U.S. officials said.
The exchange, first reported by Axios, highlights a widening rift over how to end the conflict.
The dispute followed Hamas’s response to a U.S.-backed plan. The group signaled it would release remaining hostages in exchange for a permanent end to the war and a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. Netanyahu viewed the conditions as a rejection. Trump saw an opening for talks.
“Bibi told Trump this is nothing to celebrate,” a U.S. official familiar with the call told Axios. The official said Trump replied, “I don’t know why you’re always so f***ing negative. This is a win. Take it.”
The war has devastated Gaza and created a humanitarian crisis, increasing domestic and international pressure on both leaders.
Netanyahu’s coalition partners have threatened to collapse his government if he agrees to a deal that ends the war without dismantling Hamas, Reuters reported. Trump faces criticism at home and wants a foreign policy victory.
Hamas’ response creates a rift
Sources said Netanyahu feared that treating the reply as progress would help Hamas’s narrative. He sought a joint U.S.–Israeli statement framing the reply as a rejection of the hostage deal.
The White House took a different view. A senior U.S. official said Trump was relieved Hamas did not reject the proposal outright. He treated the counter as a basis for further dialogue, a position that clashed with Netanyahu’s skepticism on the call.
In a brief interview on Saturday, Trump suggested he persuaded the Israeli leader. “He was fine with it. He’s got to be fine with it,” Trump said, calling it Netanyahu’s “chance for victory.”
Despite the tense call, officials said the two leaders reached an operational plan to move forward.
Tense call, public unity
Soon after, both leaders presented a more aligned public stance. Netanyahu released a video praising Trump and citing points of agreement from the president’s recent remarks. Aides to the prime minister said the two were in lockstep.
Behind the scenes, the mood was strained. A U.S. official described Trump as “annoyed” yet focused on securing a ceasefire.
After the call, Trump urged Israel to halt airstrikes in Gaza. Netanyahu ordered a pause three hours later. Officials pointed to the sequence as evidence of U.S. pressure.
At the same time, Washington kept pressure on Hamas. Trump warned against “delay tactics” and said the deal would be withdrawn if hostages were not released. These moves are part of ongoing U.S.–Israel ceasefire talks.
Attention now turns to Cairo, where indirect talks are set for Monday. U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are expected to join, signaling high-level American engagement.
As an initial step, Washington has secured Israel’s agreement to an updated map for a first-phase pullback from parts of Gaza, Reuters reported.
