Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that U.S. President Donald Trump advised him to reject a partial ceasefire deal with Hamas and instead pursue a full-scale military offensive in Gaza. The remarks follow Netanyahuâs refusal to hold a cabinet vote on a truce proposal during a tense six-hour security meeting late Sunday.
According to Israeli media reports, the meeting centered on preparations for a large-scale offensive inside Gaza City. Netanyahu asserted that Trump backed the strategy, quoting him as saying, âForget the partial deals. Go in with full force and finish this,â as reported by The Times of Israel.
If accurate, the exchange would mark a shift in the U.S. presidentâs stance. Trump has previously expressed interest in ending the 22-month conflict, which has drawn significant international criticism over Israelâs military conduct.
Channel 12 reported that sources confirmed Trump pressed Netanyahu to accelerate military plans following frustration with stalled ceasefire negotiations. This advice is said to have influenced Netanyahuâs push for either complete control of Gaza or a ceasefire entirely on Israeli terms.
Netanyahuâs plan to occupy Gaza City, part of a broader strategy to seize full control of the Strip, has heightened tensions with Israelâs military leadership. Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir warned the cabinet that a ceasefire framework was available and should be accepted, citing risks to hostages and the strain on Israeli forces.
Several ministers also supported the truce, pointing to Israelâs increasing diplomatic isolation. Recent recognition of a Palestinian state by some Western allies has added to the governmentâs challenges.
Despite this, Netanyahu dismissed the need for a vote, stating that a partial deal was ânot relevant.â He argued that withdrawing from areas secured during the recent âGideonâs Chariotsâ offensive, which left Israel in control of 75 percent of Gaza, would impose a âheavy price.â
The debate comes amid intensifying domestic protests demanding an end to the war and the release of 48 hostages still held in Gaza. Twenty are believed to be alive. Hamas previously accepted a temporary truce proposal mediated by Qatar and Egypt, involving a 60-day ceasefire in exchange for half of the hostages. Israel had initially approved a similar deal before Netanyahu shifted positions.
Experts have cautioned that Netanyahuâs objective of fully destroying Hamas is unrealistic. Critics argue his stance may be driven by political survival rather than strategic viability.
On Monday, Israeli tanks pushed further east into Gaza City suburbs, while explosives-laden vehicles were detonated, according to Palestinian officials. Leaflets dropped by the IDF instructed civilians to evacuate south as operations expanded westward. Palestinian authorities reported at least 19 deaths from airstrikes the same day.
Meanwhile, international scrutiny intensified. The International Association of Genocide Scholars, representing around 500 academics worldwide, overwhelmingly voted in favor of a resolution accusing Israel of committing genocide in Gaza. The group, which includes Holocaust experts, cited âindiscriminate and deliberate attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructureâ and concluded Israelâs actions meet the legal definition of genocide under the 1948 UN Convention.
The White House has not issued a response to Netanyahuâs remarks or the reported change in U.S. policy.
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