Trump to Netanyahu: “Don’t Be Negative! The Gaza Peace Deal Is a Historic Achievement”

According to Rokna, a senior U.S. official revealed that after Hamas’s “conditional yes” to Trump’s Gaza peace plan last Friday, Trump held a phone conversation with Netanyahu to discuss the development, which he described as “good news.”

However, sources say Netanyahu expressed dissatisfaction, reportedly telling Trump, “This is nothing to be happy about and it means nothing.”

As reported by Axios, Trump sharply responded: “I don’t understand why you’re always so negative! This is a victory — accept it!”

Another U.S. official familiar with the call said the conversation reflected Trump’s determination to push Netanyahu to align with Washington’s position and to end the Gaza war if Hamas agrees to the proposed terms.

In its official response, Hamas stated that it was prepared to release all remaining hostages in exchange for a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, but requested further negotiations on the proposal’s details.

An Israeli official told Axios that Netanyahu privately described Hamas’s response as a rejection of Trump’s plan. The source added that Netanyahu intended to coordinate with Washington to prevent the perception that Hamas had accepted the proposal.

According to a senior U.S. official, while Trump’s tone was upbeat, he also worried that Hamas might ultimately reject the deal. He viewed the group’s response as “the beginning of an agreement.”

Two U.S. officials told Axios that Trump did not expect Netanyahu’s cold reaction, which triggered the former president’s sharp retort.

Trump later confirmed in a Saturday interview that he had told Netanyahu the peace deal represented a “victory opportunity” and that the Israeli prime minister eventually aligned with him.

“He didn’t have a problem with it,” Trump said. “He has to go along with it — he has no choice. With me, you have to go along.”

Shortly after the call, Trump issued a public statement urging Israel to halt its attacks on Gaza. Netanyahu complied roughly three hours later.

Netanyahu’s aides later noted that the two leaders were now “fully aligned.” In a video message, Netanyahu praised Trump and voiced support for several of the U.S. leader’s recent remarks.

According to U.S. officials, Friday’s phone conversation was heated and left Trump irritated, though both sides ultimately reached an understanding.

“President Trump ultimately wants peace — that’s what matters most,” one official said, adding that Washington is now working closely with Israel to finalize the deal.

Trump’s Push for Peace

American media report that Trump continues to press both sides toward an agreement. On Saturday, he publicly warned Hamas against using stalling tactics, stressing that “if Hamas does not move toward freeing the hostages, there will be no deal.”

The U.S. president also reportedly persuaded Israeli officials to approve an updated map for the phased withdrawal of occupation forces from parts of Gaza.

Indirect negotiations between Hamas and Israel are expected to begin in Cairo on Monday, with Trump’s envoys — Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner — participating in efforts to finalize the accord this week.