President Donald Trump has described his relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as “very good,” despite growing policy disagreements over the future of Gaza that have emerged between the two leaders over the past week .
What Happened
Speaking to reporters at the Oval Office on Monday, Trump said his ties with Netanyahu remain strong . “President Trump said that his relationship with Netanyahu is ‘very good,'” according to AFP .
The President’s comments come after Netanyahu explicitly rejected a US-led Gaza ceasefire proposal on Sunday. The proposed plan would have required Israel to gradually reduce its military presence in Gaza while Hamas progressed toward disarmament .
The Disagreement
Netanyahu has made clear that Israel will not withdraw from Gaza until Hamas is “completely disarmed.” In a video message on Sunday, he stated that Israel has not accepted the US proposal and that he has submitted modifications to the draft agreement .
“That wasn’t our draft. We submitted modifications,” Netanyahu said, according to reports .
President Trump had announced on July 30 that a US-led “peace committee” had reached an agreement on the “complete disarmament” of Hamas in Gaza. The plan was to be implemented in phases, with Israeli forces gradually withdrawing as Hamas disarmed .
Hamas Position
Hamas responded on July 31, stating that it agreed to include weapons transfer issues within the ceasefire framework, but only on condition that Israel stops all forms of aggression and withdraws from Gaza . Hamas officials have indicated that disarmament depends on Israeli withdrawal and reconstruction progress .
Relations Remain Strong
Despite the policy differences, Trump emphasized that personal and political ties between the two leaders remain robust . The US president’s latest statement suggests Washington and Tel Aviv are working to maintain close relations even as disagreements persist over Gaza’s future, Israeli military operations and the Hamas issue.
What’s Next
The policy rift over Gaza’s future continues, with Israel insisting on complete Hamas disarmament before any withdrawal and the US pushing a phased plan. Both sides have indicated a willingness to continue negotiations, with Israel having submitted modifications to the US proposal .
Conclusion
While policy differences over Gaza have become increasingly visible, President Trump’s insistence on the strength of his personal relationship with Netanyahu underscores the enduring strategic partnership between Washington and Tel Aviv. The coming days will determine whether negotiations can bridge the gap between the US-proposed phased plan and Israel’s demand for complete Hamas disarmament .
