Trump tells Netanyahu to finish Gaza war: ‘It’s exhausting itself’

“Ending the war will also help in negotiations with Iran and also the Saudis,” Trump said.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

In an unprecedented move, US President Donald Trump told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to end the war in Gaza.

According to Israel’s N12 news site, Trump told Netanyahu, “I want you to end the war.”

“It’s not just the Witkoff deal that could be reached. Both. Finish it. The war is exhausting itself,” the president said.

Trump reportedly made the remarks in a phone conversation with Netanyahu on Monday night.

The president not only indicated that Netanyahu should agree to Special Envoy Steve Witkoff’s proposal for a multi-phase end to the war but also be prepared for a conclusion of hostilities.

“Ending the war will also help in negotiations with Iran and also the Saudis,” Trump said.

On the subject of Iran, Trump insisted that Netanyahu cease threatening to strike the Islamic Republic, adding that such threats harm the ongoing negotiations.

Currently, Iran has rejected the American deal proposal and plans to present its counteroffer at the sixth round of negotiations over the weekend.

The main point of contention between the two sides is the issue of whether Iran would be allowed to enrich uranium, with Netanyahu and Trump both insisting that it not be allowed to do so, although the proposal includes provisions for temporary uranium enrichment.

Regarding a potential deal, Trump told Netanyahu, “The Iranians will give a bad response, but not something that closes the door.”

“I believe I will be able to bring an agreement in the end; for now, we need to take the attack off the agenda,” he said.

On Monday, Trump said that he had spoken with Netanyahu and was  “trying to avoid death and destruction.”

He added that the Iranians were “tough negotiators.”

“We’re doing a lot of work on Iran right now,” Trump said at an economic event at the White House. “It’s tough… They’re great negotiators.”