Journalism of Courage
US President Donald Trump urged Benjamin Netanyahu to back his plan to end the Gaza war, even as the Israeli Prime Minister is facing growing resistance from his far-right allies who have threatened to quit the coalition.
Trump called Netanyahu on Friday after Hamas gave what US officials described as a “positive but partial” response to his peace proposal. According to Axios, Netanyahu told Trump there was “nothing to celebrate” about Hamas’s reply.
“I don’t know why you’re always so f***ing negative. This is a win. Take it,” Trump told Netanyahu, Axios reported, citing a US official familiar with the call.
“He’s got no choice. With me, you’ve got to be fine”
Trump later told Axios he saw Hamas’s response as an opportunity to end the two-year conflict. “This is his chance for victory,” Trump said, referring to Netanyahu. “He was fine with it. He’s got to be fine with it. He has no choice. With me, you’ve got to be fine.”
Hamas said it was willing to release all remaining hostages if Israel agreed to stop its offensive and withdraw its troops from Gaza, though it asked to negotiate details. Netanyahu viewed this as a rejection and wanted to coordinate with Washington to prevent the impression that Hamas had accepted the plan, Israeli officials told Axios.
Far-right backlash in Israel
Netanyahu’s decision to support Trump’s 20-point plan has deepened tensions within his far-right government. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said his party “will in no way be partners” to any scenario allowing Hamas to remain in Gaza, threatening to quit the coalition.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called pausing the military campaign a “grave mistake” and warned it could weaken Israel’s position. Together, their parties hold 13 seats in the 120-member Knesset, according to Reuters.
Analysts say if both ministers pull out, Netanyahu’s coalition the most right-wing in Israel’s history could collapse, possibly leading to early elections before the scheduled 2026 vote.
“No ceasefire in place”
Israeli government spokesperson Shosh Bedrosian said on Sunday that there was no ceasefire, but some bombings had been halted for “defensive purposes.” Despite Trump’s call to stop air strikes, Israeli attacks over the weekend killed dozens of Palestinians in Gaza.
Indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas are expected to begin in Egypt’s Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh on Monday, with Trump’s envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff expected to attend.
Netanyahu has said the plan aims for the release of hostages, disarmament of Hamas, and Gaza’s demilitarisation. However, Trump’s proposal does not include a timeline and makes only a vague reference to Palestinian statehood points likely to anger Netanyahu’s hardline allies.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid said he would support Netanyahu to keep the government stable and ensure Trump’s plan moves forward, offering what he called “insurance” against the prime minister’s “extremist partners.”
