Trump Reportedly Urges Netanyahu to Advance Gaza Plan After Election

President Donald Trump reportedly asked Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a Thursday telephone call to take steps advancing the Gaza plan after Israel’s October 27 election. Two sources familiar with the conversation described the request in an account disclosed Sunday evening, saying Trump wanted progress regardless of which Israeli government is formed. An unnamed American official said implementation would proceed gradually, with full verification of Gaza’s demilitarization. Reconstruction would not begin before progress in disarming Hamas. “We want to move forward cooperatively,” the official said. The plan envisages Hamas disarmament and a transfer of civilian administration to a Palestinian technocratic government. Netanyahu remains skeptical that Hamas will fulfill its disarmament commitments and maintains that the terrorist organization is rearming and rebuilding its strength, according to the account. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff also participated in the call, which Netanyahu initiated. Iran was discussed as well. Neither the White House nor the Prime Minister’s Office immediately responded to requests for comment on the account. Former British prime minister Tony Blair, a senior Board of Peace executive, reportedly visited Israel the following day and met Netanyahu, Gadi Eisenkot and other political leaders to press for giving the plan a chance. The Board of Peace has been working on implementation and an international stabilization force. In its May 15 report, the board identified Egypt, Qatar, Türkiye and the United States as ceasefire guarantors, and Egypt as the lead partner in training civilian police.