Gaza War at a Crossroads: Decoding the Netanyahu-Trump Dynamic
As Netanyahu and Trump present contrasting public positions on Gaza's future, former intelligence chief warns of deal's fragility while Lapid credits Trump for hostage releases, revealing complex diplomatic maneuvers at critical juncture in negotiations.
As Israel and Hamas approach critical negotiations for the second phase of the hostage deal, an intriguing dynamic is emerging between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Donald Trump. Their seemingly divergent public positions on Gaza mask a more nuanced diplomatic reality.
Trump's recent statements championing the hostage negotiations and potential ceasefire extension appear to clash with Netanyahu's more hawkish rhetoric about resuming military operations. Yet former IDF Intelligence POW Division Chief Avi Kalo offers crucial perspective on this apparent contradiction. Speaking to 103FM today, Kalo warned that even the first phase of the deal remains precarious. "These are crucial days," he cautioned. "We're at the beginning stages of the process, and what we see now will dictate the path forward."
This fragility helps explain both leaders' careful messaging. Netanyahu navigates intense domestic pressures from coalition partners demanding military action and hostage families pushing for negotiations. The situation grows even more complex with today's news of a Hamas delegation heading to Moscow to discuss Russian-Israeli hostages Alexander Trufanov and Maxim Harkin.
Trump, meanwhile, has masterfully positioned himself as both peacemaker and pragmatist. While publicly advocating for negotiations, reports suggest he's privately assured support for resumed military operations if necessary. This diplomatic choreography allows him to maintain his campaign narrative of ending conflicts while preserving strategic flexibility.
Opposition Leader Yair Lapid recently highlighted Trump's influence, crediting him for the hostages' return. "Without President Trump and his commitment to the issue," Lapid stated, "there is great doubt whether we would have seen alive the men and women who returned home in the past two weeks."
With Qatar now calling for immediate talks on phase two of the deal, what appears as policy divergence between Netanyahu and Trump may instead be sophisticated diplomatic maneuvering aimed at achieving shared objectives through different means. The coming days will test whether this delicate balance can hold.
Israel Hayom contributed to this article.