Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected President Donald Trump’s latest plan for Gaza, creating a rare public disagreement between two leaders who have maintained a close political relationship. Netanyahu’s decision comes as he faces competing pressures: maintaining strong ties with Washington while defending his security demands and preparing for an Israeli election less than three months away.
A Gaza Deal Hits a Major Roadblock
Trump’s latest proposal was designed to move forward a ceasefire process that began with an earlier agreement. Under the new plan, Hamas would gradually surrender its weapons while Israeli forces stopped attacks and began withdrawing from Gaza.
Hamas accepted the proposal, although it linked giving up its heaviest weapons to the creation of a Palestinian state. Netanyahu rejected the plan and insisted that Israel would not withdraw from the roughly 60% of Gaza it currently controls until Hamas is fully disarmed.
The disagreement threatens to delay other parts of the ceasefire process, including the deployment of international forces and efforts to rebuild Gaza.
Behind the public dispute, however, negotiations appear to be continuing. An official with the Trump-led Board of Peace told The Associated Press, “We are focused on actions, not rhetoric or politics.”
“There is constructive cooperation behind the scenes and our conversations continue,” the official added.
Netanyahu Faces Pressure From Israeli Politics
Netanyahu’s position is also closely tied to Israel’s upcoming election. The October 7, 2023, Hamas attack remains a major political issue, and many Israelis continue to blame Netanyahu for the security failures that allowed the attack to happen.
At the same time, Netanyahu has emphasized Israel’s military achievements since then, including operations in Gaza and elsewhere in the region. His far-right political allies have supported his decision to reject Trump’s proposal. Their support could be important if Netanyahu’s Likud party needs partners to form another government after the election.
Jonathan Lis, diplomatic correspondent for Israel’s Haaretz newspaper, described the political pressure facing Netanyahu. Trump “wants to see real steps taken toward rehabilitating Gaza, while Netanyahu’s two right-wing partners and the Likud’s faltering election campaign is keeping him from yielding even a millimeter,” Lis wrote.
Trump and Netanyahu Find Their Interests Dividing
Trump has historically enjoyed strong support in Israel. During his first presidency, his administration moved the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem and supported several Israeli territorial claims. His second administration also backed Israel’s actions in Gaza and joined Israel in strikes against Iran.
But the priorities of Trump and Netanyahu have increasingly moved apart. Netanyahu has pushed for continued military pressure against Iran and Hezbollah, while Trump has sought ways to reduce regional fighting and ease economic pressure linked to the conflict.
Yohanan Plesner, president of the Israel Democracy Institute, said Israeli attitudes toward Trump have also changed.
“A few months ago, a significant majority of Israelis assumed that when President Trump is making decisions, he’s taking Israeli security interests into account. This is no longer the case,” Plesner said.
He added that Netanyahu’s close relationship with Trump “used to be an asset,” but no longer carries the same political value.
A Familiar Strategy Comes With Greater Risks
Netanyahu has challenged American presidents before. During the 1990s, he resisted efforts by President Bill Clinton to advance an Israeli-Palestinian agreement. Years later, he publicly opposed President Barack Obama’s support for the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.
The difference today is Israel’s diplomatic position. Years of regional conflict have increased its international isolation, while support for Israel among Democratic voters in the United States has weakened. That has made the relationship with Trump especially important.
Plesner described Netanyahu’s dependence on Trump as “tremendous” and warned that Israeli voters could punish the prime minister if they believe he has damaged the relationship.
“If Trump will insist on carrying on, I think Netanyahu will have no choice but to tag along rather than take on the president, since he’s left Israel with very few diplomatic cards to maneuver,” Plesner said.
Gaza Dispute Tests a Crucial Alliance
Netanyahu’s rejection of Trump’s Gaza proposal shows how difficult his political balancing act has become. He must maintain Israel’s relationship with its most important ally while satisfying voters and coalition partners who oppose concessions to Hamas.
For Trump, the disagreement creates another challenge as he seeks progress toward ending conflicts in the Middle East. For Netanyahu, the stakes include both Israel’s Gaza strategy and his political future. With elections approaching and negotiations continuing behind the scenes, the dispute could become a major test of a relationship that has shaped both Israeli politics and U.S. policy in the region.
