Furious White House Message Sent to Netanyahu
The "New Rafah": US Demands Israel Withdraw From Gaza Territory Under Trump Plan Phase II
Tensions between the US and Israel escalated after the White House accused Israel of violating the ceasefire with a targeted killing, as the US presses for Phase II of the Trump plan, which Israel opposes until the last abducted soldier is returned.
US Demands Transition to Phase II Amid Hostage Standoff
The US administration is pushing hard for Israel to move into Phase II of the Trump plan for the region, a step that would reportedly require the Israeli military to withdraw to the border and relinquish operational control over 54% of the Gaza Strip territory.
However, Israeli diplomatic and security officials remain resolute, stating that no political or security progress will be made until the final abducted soldier, Yassam fighter Ran Guili, is recovered and returned to Israel for burial. An Israeli security source insisted that Hamas terrorists know the location where the fallen soldier is buried.
American officials are indicating that the deployment of a multinational force to help maintain stability in Gaza after the end of the war is imminent. Yet, security sources in Israel say they are unaware of any country that has committed troops and received Israeli approval. US President Donald Trump announced that he would reveal the members of the "Peace Council" that will govern the Gaza Strip in early 2026, a move Israeli security officials believe Hamas terrorists will oppose, making the prospect unlikely.
Israeli security officials clarified that the proposed multinational force would not confront Hamas terrorists or prevent their rearmament. Instead, it is intended to operate only in areas currently controlled by the Israeli military, not in Hamas-controlled territory. Israel remains firm on its demand for the complete demilitarization of the Gaza Strip and the removal of Hamas from power.
White House Fury Over Hamas Terrorist Killing
Tensions between the White House and the Netanyahu government escalated sharply after Israel's targeted killing of senior Hamas terrorist Raed Saad, the Deputy Commander of the terrorist group's military wing and one of the architects of the October 7 attack, over the weekend.
Two senior American officials confirmed that the White House sent harsh messages to Prime Minister Netanyahu, emphasizing that the assassination constituted a breach of the ceasefire agreement brokered by President Trump.
A furious message from the White House stated, "We told Netanyahu, if you want to destroy your reputation and show that you do not honor agreements, please, but we will not allow him to destroy the reputation of President Trump," a senior American official said.
While an Israeli official confirmed the White House's displeasure, he countered that the US message centered on concerns that "certain Arab countries see the assassination as a violation of the ceasefire agreement." The Israeli official clarified that Israel informed the Trump administration that Hamas terrorists were the ones who violated the agreement by attacking Israeli soldiers and resuming arms smuggling. The official justified the strike, saying, "The elimination of Saad, an arch-terrorist who worked daily to violate the agreement and resume the war, was carried out in response to these violations and was intended to ensure the continued existence of the ceasefire."
Disputes Over Gaza Aid and "New Rafah"
The disputes extend to aid and reconstruction. Arab nations successfully pushed the UN General Assembly to pass a resolution with 139 votes in favor, 12 against, and 19 abstentions, calling on Israel to cooperate with UN agencies, especially UNRWA. Israel opposes working with UNRWA, citing the organization's alleged support for terrorism and the involvement of its employees in murder and abductions.
Israeli security sources confirmed that about 600 aid trucks enter Gaza daily, but only 150 are used by international organizations for humanitarian purposes. The remaining trucks enter under US pressure for the private sector, generating massive profits for Hamas terrorists through taxation and the supply of goods to its operatives.
The US is preparing to reconstruct the southern Gaza city of Rafah, planning to rename it "New Rafah." However, Israel is taking a risk with this reconstruction, as it has not yet disarmed Hamas terrorists, who have successfully monetized the aid truck traffic, generating tens of millions of shekels. Israel continues to oppose the full, two-way opening of the Rafah crossing to prevent Hamas terrorists from rebuilding their military strength and infrastructure.
The sensitive issues surrounding the Gaza Strip are expected to be decided at a planned meeting between President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu in Mar-a-Lago on December 29.