Netanyahu Commits To Ending Gaza War Under U.S. Pressure
The Gaza war has raged for twenty long months. Families keep running from bombs, hunger, and broken homes. Suddenly, a late-night call changed the mood. U.S. President Donald Trump pressed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to stop the fight. Israeli papers say the two leaders agreed to wrap up combat within two weeks and free all hostages. Four Arab states may manage Gaza after the guns fall silent. Yet doubts remain. Can promises survive on a field filled with anger, rubble, and grief? This post explains the numbers, the plans, and the risks in clear, direct words.
U.S. Call Shifts the Battlefield
Trump’s strike on Iranian nuclear sites stunned the region. Then, in one phone call, he turned back to Gaza. Accordingly, Israeli daily Israel Hayom cites aides who heard Trump tell Netanyahu, “End this fast.” Soon after, The Times of Israel confirmed the two-week goal. Meanwhile, Washington dangled rewards: wider Abraham Accords and fresh investment.
Yet the pressure was not only friendly. Moreover, U.S. diplomats warned about aid chaos and high civilian deaths. Therefore, Netanyahu faced a clear choice: bend or face global blame. In short, the call pushed Gaza to the top of Israel’s to-do list.
What Netanyahu Promised in the Call
Netanyahu once vowed to keep the Palestinian Authority out of Gaza. However, reports say the new plan lets Egypt, the UAE, Jordan, and Bahrain run their daily life. First, Hamas chiefs would leave the enclave.
Second, hostages would come home. Third, Israeli troops would pull back, yet still guard Gaza’s borders.
“Full security control will stay with Israel,” Netanyahu told the press on May 22. Still, he now accepts outside civilians administering schools and clinics. Because Arab leaders demand a path to a two-state deal, their share in ruling Gaza may grow. If Israel blocks that path, talks could stall again.
How Trump Uses Leverage on Allies
Trump likes bold moves. Thus, he linked Iran strikes to Gaza peace. By hitting Fordow and two other nuclear sites on June 21, he sent Tehran a warning. Next, he stressed aid to Gazans and told both sides to keep a cease-fire.
U.S. arms sales also give leverage. When Congress delays smart-bomb shipments, Israeli generals listen. Likewise, Washington can veto or approve loans at the IMF, shaping Israel’s budget space. Consequently, Netanyahu needs U.S. cover even while he courts hard-right allies at home.
Yet, Trump’s base frowns on endless wars. Hence, he pushes for a quick, visible success.
Life in Gaza: Numbers Tell the Pain
| Metric | Number | Source |
| Reported deaths in Gaza | 56,000 | Gaza Health Ministry |
| Civilians shot near aid lines | 550 | Gaza Health Ministry |
| People under evacuation orders | 82.5 % | UN OCHA |
| Hostages still alive | ≈ 20 | Israeli estimate |
| Gaza population | 2.2 million | United Nations |
As the table shows, the human toll is huge. Meanwhile, the WHO just moved nine aid trucks into Gaza, the first since March 2. Still, Tedros Ghebreyesus calls the load “a drop in the ocean.” Because fuel is scarce, hospitals struggle to chill blood packs. Moreover, Israel lets aid enter only from the south, blocking northern routes. Therefore, long walks under fire remain deadly. Ultimately, every delay means more graves.
Arab States Hold the Next Cards
UAE and Egypt could govern Gaza’s streets once guns fall silent. Yet, they refuse unless the Palestinian Authority gains a role. Because Netanyahu rejects PA control, a standoff looms.
Arab ministers ask for two conditions:
- Free movement of goods through Gaza’s ports.
- Clear steps toward an independent Palestinian state.
Unless Israel concedes, Abu Dhabi may walk away. Furthermore, Cairo fears chaos spilling across Sinai. Thus, U.S. envoys shuttle between capitals. If they bridge gaps, reconstruction money may flow. Otherwise, ruins may stand empty.
Israel Faces Growing Inside Dissent
Inside Israel, weary voices rise. For instance, 1,300 university staff wrote that the war “hurts Israel’s soul.” Moreover, over 40 military intelligence officers called tactics “clearly illegal.”
Reservists skip call-ups, citing family strain. Consequently, the army relies on full-time brigades to press Gideon’s Chariots, the new Gaza plan. Meanwhile, former PM Ehud Olmert accuses the government of war crimes. Still, Netanyahu’s coalition holds. Because hard-right parties fear new elections, they keep him in power. Yet, public polls show trust sliding each month. Therefore, ending the war could calm home fronts and save political capital.
World Voices: From Spain to the UN
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez now labels Gaza “genocide.” Soon, Brussels will debate suspending its cooperation pact with Israel. If that happens, trade worth $46 billion yearly may face tariffs.
Additionally, the International Court of Justice reviews new filings on forced displacement. Meanwhile, UN officials cite aerial images of flattened Rafah blocks. “We see towns erased,” one analyst said.
Because Europe supplies key jet parts and software, Israeli firms watch these talks nervously. Hence, Netanyahu must weigh foreign anger against coalition vows. In short, outside pressure mounts.
Israel’s Revised War Strategy
The Gideon’s Chariots plan uses three tools: block food, order moves, and raze cleared zones. First, bulldozers cut the Netzarim corridor, slicing Gaza in half. Then, texts tell families to head south. Afterward, tanks and drones hit empty blocks, reducing cover for fighters.
Thus, civilian crowds shrink safe areas equal to Manhattan’s size. Moreover, aid now funnels through the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a private group tied to Israeli plans. Critics note its 1,700-calorie ration falls below global norms. Consequently, hunger drives more people toward exit routes. If mass flight starts, legal experts warn of war-crime claims.
What Happens If Promises Break
Should the two-week pledge slip, three risks stand out:
- Iran Front Reopens: Militias may fire rockets in revenge.
- EU Sanctions Bite: Export markets could shrink fast.
- Domestic Unrest Grows: Reservists and voters may force elections.
Therefore, keeping the schedule serves Israel’s security and diplomacy. Any hostage rescue gone wrong could stall talks. Meanwhile, Gaza’s aid lines must stay open to win Arab trust.
As one U.S. official said, “Peace moves at the speed of bread.” Finally, the next fourteen days will test whether leaders value power more than people.
