Trump Reportedly Pressured Netanyahu To Accept Gaza Truce During Heated Call

Book Claims Trump Pressured Netanyahu To Back Gaza Truce During Tense Call

A new book has claimed that US President Donald Trump sharply pressured Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to support a US-backed Gaza ceasefire proposal during a heated phone conversation in September 2025.

According to Regime Change: Inside The Imperial Presidency Of Donald Trump, authored by New York Times journalists Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan, Trump grew frustrated over concerns that Israel could derail months of diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the war in Gaza.

The book alleges that during a call involving Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner, the US president urged Netanyahu to support a ceasefire framework being advanced by Washington.

According to excerpts published by multiple media outlets, Trump warned Netanyahu against backing away from the proposed agreement and argued that the conflict had dragged on for too long. The authors claim the conversation reflected growing frustration within Trump’s circle over the pace of negotiations and the future of the ceasefire plan.

Ceasefire Push Amid Diplomatic Concerns

The reported exchange allegedly took place on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in September 2025, when the Trump administration was promoting a 20-point framework designed to halt the Gaza conflict and begin reconstruction efforts in the territory.

The book claims Trump reminded Netanyahu that he had consistently supported him politically and urged him not to walk away from the proposed arrangement.

It also alleges that Trump privately referred to the Israeli leader as a “con man”, a term the authors describe as one of the strongest criticisms in Trump’s political vocabulary.

Doha Strike Added To Friction

According to the book, tensions between Washington and Jerusalem were further heightened after an Israeli strike targeting Hamas figures in Doha earlier that month.

The authors claim the operation angered both Witkoff and Kushner, who had been engaged in ceasefire discussions and post-war planning efforts. The strike reportedly complicated mediation attempts, with Qatar initially reluctant to continue facilitating talks between Israel and Hamas.

The book further alleges that some members of Trump’s team felt blindsided by the development and feared it could jeopardise ongoing diplomatic efforts.

The claims are based on accounts presented in the book, and neither Trump nor Netanyahu has publicly responded to the specific excerpts cited in the reports.