Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office denied today, Thursday, in a statement that there was any communication with former U.S. President Donald Trump. Axios reported that two American sources stated that Republican candidate Trump spoke on the phone with Netanyahu on Wednesday, discussing the ceasefire agreement in Gaza and the release of prisoners. A source told Axios that the purpose of Trump’s call was to encourage Netanyahu to accept the agreement, but noted that it was unclear whether this was indeed what the former president told Netanyahu. Trump's campaign has not yet responded to requests for comment.
At the end of last month, Netanyahu visited the United States and met with President Joe Biden, Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris, and Trump. On Thursday, Egypt, the United States, and Qatar set a date for a new round of ceasefire negotiations in Gaza. Biden proposed a three-phase ceasefire plan in a speech given on May 31. Since then, Washington and regional mediators have been trying to arrange a ceasefire deal in Gaza in exchange for the return of prisoners, but they face repeated obstacles.
On Wednesday, Hamas announced that it would not participate in the new round of ceasefire talks scheduled for Thursday in Qatar, but an official familiar with the discussions said that mediators expect to consult with the group afterward. Washington, Israel's key ally, stated that a ceasefire in Gaza would limit the chances of the conflict spreading in the Middle East. The risks of a broader war have increased since the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran and the military leader of Hezbollah, Fouad Shukr, in Beirut. Their deaths were followed by threats of retaliation against Israel.
