Trump said to have told Netanyahu to end Gaza war, attacking Iran off limits for now

United States President Donald Trump told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during their phone call yesterday that he wants to see an end to the war in Gaza and that attacking Iran’s nuclear sites is off limits, reports Channel 12, without naming sources.

In an unprecedented message by the president to the premier, Trump told Netanyahu that he expects him to end the war in Gaza – not only to reach a ceasefire and hostage release deal through the Witkoff framework in the ongoing negotiations, but to ensure the war ends altogether, says the network.

Ending the war will aid negotiations with Iran and Saudi Arabia, the president reportedly said. The understanding is that Washington is prepared to offer Hamas strong guarantees to end the war, adds Channel 12.

The reported conversation may explain Netanyahu’s statements earlier today that new progress is being made in the hostage negotiations, the network says.

Trump also clarified that he has not completed his efforts in the US-Iran nuclear talks, saying, despite his disapproval of Iran’s last offer, the door has not closed. Netanyahu replied that a credible military threat must be kept on Iran at all times, to which Trump again asserted that a strike should be taken off the table as negotiations continue.

According to two sources familiar with the details of the conversation, Netanyahu did not receive a clear answer from Trump as to whether the US would give Israel a green light to act alone, or whether Washington would want to participate in or lead a strike — if the negotiations with Iran fall through, says the report.

The report said there would be no discussions on a military strike until Trump concludes that talks had failed.

The Prime Minister’s Office declined to comment on the details of the conversation, adds Channel 12.