From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, December 2, 2025
Report: Trump pressed Netanyahu on Gaza, Syria during call, as PM sought more help on pardon request
Stav Levaton is a military reporter for The Times of Israel
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked US President Donald Trump to continue assisting him in securing a pardon from President Isaac Herzog during a phone call between the two leaders yesterday, Channel 12 reports, citing two senior American officials.
According to the officials, Trump told Netanyahu he believes the pardon issue would “work out,” but stopped short of committing to further action. Another US official says Netanyahu was hoping for additional intervention, but that Trump feels he has already done what he can.
An Israeli official tells the network that it was Trump who first raised the issue of the pardon during the conversation. Both leaders agreed to revisit the matter in future calls or meetings.
Channel 12 reports that the call quickly shifted to sensitive policy disputes. On Gaza, Trump urged Netanyahu to be “a better partner” in advancing the next stages of the agreement. Netanyahu responded that he was “doing his best.”
Trump also pressed the prime minister on the standoff with Hamas operatives trapped in Rafah’s tunnels, questioning “why they were being killed rather than allowed to surrender,” according to the American officials. Netanyahu reportedly replied that the militants were “armed and dangerous,” and therefore being eliminated.
On Syria, the officials say Trump voiced clear opposition to continued Israeli operations there, telling Netanyahu to “take it easy” and avoid actions that could provoke the country’s new leadership.
Following the call, Netanyahu appeared to soften his public tone on Syria, hinting that an agreement could be achievable in the near future, and suggesting he may travel to the White House soon to discuss the issues directly with Trump.
The Prime Minister’s Office declined to comment on the report.
The Times of Israel Community.