U.S. President Donald Trump outlined a plan to end the Gaza war and exchange prisoners, but Hamas disarmament remains unresolved; leaked calls with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu reveal tensions amid impending talks in Cairo.
Trump’s Gaza Exit Plan
President Donald Trump proposed ending the Gaza conflict by withdrawing Israeli troops and swapping prisoners. He said Hamas’s statement—agreeing to release prisoners and hand over Gaza to an independent Palestinian authority—shows they are ready for lasting peace. Trump urged Israel to stop bombing Gaza to secure a safe hostage release, and he announced that talks between Hamas and Israel would start in Cairo on Monday.
Leaked Trump–Netanyahu Call
According to Axios, Trump called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday to discuss Hamas’s response. In the conversation, Trump reportedly told Netanyahu that there was no reason to celebrate and that the situation meant nothing. A U.S. official familiar with the call added that Trump said, “I don’t know why you’re always so damn negative. This is a victory. Take it.” Axios notes that the exchange, confirmed by a second U.S. official, shows Trump’s resolve to overcome Netanyahu’s objections and persuade him to end the war if Hamas reaches an agreement.
Netanyahu on Military Pressure
In a Saturday address to citizens, Netanyahu said he hopes soon to report the return of all hostages—in one phase—while the Israel Defense Forces remain deep in the Strip and in its controlled areas. He claimed that strong military pressure and diplomatic leverage forced Hamas to accept his plan, that the first phase would involve the release of all hostages and the reorganization of IDF forces to maintain control. Netanyahu warned that Hamas would be disarmed and Gaza would become demilitarized in a second phase, either through diplomatic means aligned with Trump’s plan or by military action he would take.
