As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to return to office, he has reportedly urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to conclude the ongoing Gaza war by the time he is inaugurated in January.
Trump, who was declared victorious in the U.S. election on November 6, made his stance clear months prior, pressing Israel to achieve a decisive outcome in Gaza if he were to assume office again.
According to sources close to the matter, Trump initially communicated his expectations to Netanyahu during a meeting at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida in July. The former president expressed his hope that Israel would secure a resolution to the conflict. While Trump was not specific on operational details, sources revealed that he urged Israel to have a “victory” that includes both the conclusion of hostilities and the return of American hostages held by Hamas.
A Complicated Timeline for Netanyahu
Trump’s position has added pressure to Netanyahu’s coalition government, which faces challenges from Hezbollah militants on Israel’s northern border. Since Hamas’s October 7 attack, Israeli forces have responded with a large-scale campaign in Gaza, as well as ongoing skirmishes with Hezbollah across the Lebanon border. The dual-front conflict has led to mounting casualties, with the Gaza health ministry reporting over 43,000 fatalities, primarily civilians.
Despite Trump’s expectations, Netanyahu’s coalition has significant internal constraints. Far-right cabinet members Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben Gvir, whose support is crucial for Netanyahu, oppose any ceasefire agreement conditioned on a complete halt to hostilities. Netanyahu’s coalition also resists involving the Palestinian Authority in Gaza’s governance post-conflict. This factor may prolong the war as Israel grapples with finding a stable governing alternative in Gaza.
Trump-Netanyahu Dialogue Focuses on Iran and Regional Stability
In recent conversations following Trump’s election, Netanyahu and Trump have discussed the “Iranian threat” amid ongoing battles in Gaza and Lebanon. Netanyahu’s office issued a statement on November 6 confirming that Trump and Netanyahu “agreed to work together for Israel’s security.” This statement underscores a broader regional concern with Iran, which is a key supporter of both Hamas and Hezbollah.
Hezbollah, aligned with Iran, has vowed to intensify its resistance, with tens of thousands of militants reportedly ready to engage in combat against Israel. Lebanon’s Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem warned that the U.S. election outcome would not impact its stance and expressed readiness for a “war of attrition.” The threat from Iran-backed forces in both Gaza and Lebanon further complicates Netanyahu’s task of swiftly concluding the conflict as Trump has requested.
Growing Frustration Among Gaza’s Civilians
As the Gaza conflict drags on, civilians in the region are desperate for a resolution. Many are looking to Trump, seeing his return to office as a potential turning point for peace. In the wake of the ongoing devastation, some residents expressed hope that Trump’s intervention might bring an end to the violence.
For now, Netanyahu’s response to Trump’s call for a quick resolution remains uncertain. Netanyahu faces a challenge in determining the future of Israel’s military actions in Gaza. With Trump’s inauguration date approaching, all eyes remain on Netanyahu to see if he can secure an end to the Gaza conflict that aligns with Trump’s expectations.