Report: Netanyahu to tell Trump Gaza deal at impasse as IDF prepares for new op

Prime minister reportedly planning to use his meeting with Trump Wednesday to convince him that the second phase of the Gaza deal is floundering and to push for military action against Hamas.

By World Israel News Staff

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will use his meeting with President Donald Trump on Wednesday to try to convince the president that the second phase of the Gaza peace plan is at an impasse and that the time has come for a new IDF ground campaign in the Gaza Strip to disarm Hamas, according to a report published by The Times of Israel.

An Israeli source with knowledge of the prime minister’s plans told the outlet on Tuesday that Netanyahu will tell Trump that the Gaza peace plan “is not moving” and that Israel must now intervene militarily against Hamas.

The source cited in the report said that Israeli officials have emphasized to their American counterparts recently that a new IDF operation in Gaza is needed for the peace plan to move forward.

Hamas this week reiterated its refusal to disarm, with politburo co-chairman Khaled Mashal telling Al Jazeera that the terror group has proposed an extended ceasefire with guarantees not to use its weapons.

Meanwhile, the IDF is laying the groundwork for a renewed offensive in Gaza, The Times of Israel reported, with the new operation likely to be broader and more intense than any conducted in Gaza thus far.

While in the past the IDF avoided operating in areas where hostages were believed to be, such as Deir al-Balah in central Gaza, with the hostages returned to Israel, the Israeli military will have a freer hand in using force in unscathed parts of the Strip.

Israel has repeatedly warned that should Hamas fail to disarm, the IDF will demilitarize the terror group by force.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich recently claimed that Israel is poised to lay down a two-month deadline for Hamas to surrender its weapons or face a resumption of the war in Gaza.