“So f***ing negative,” Trump lashes out at Netanyahu in heated phone call: Axios

A contentious phone call between President Trump and ‘Israeli’ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed a significant divide in how the two leaders view Hamas' response to a U.S.-led peace proposal for Gaza.

While Trump saw the group's conditional acceptance as a positive step toward a deal, Netanyahu viewed it as a rejection, according to a report by Axios.

According to two US officials with knowledge of the call, Trump contacted Netanyahu on Friday to share what he considered to be "good news"—that Hamas had responded with a "yes, but" to the peace plan.

However, Netanyahu's reaction was reportedly far from celebratory.

"Bibi told Trump this is nothing to celebrate, and that it doesn't mean anything," a US official told Axios.

The conversation quickly escalated, with Trump reportedly firing back, "I don't know why you're always so f***ing negative. This is a win. Take it."

A second US official confirmed the heated exchange, which highlights Trump's determination to push past Netanyahu's reservations and secure a deal.

Hamas' Conditional Acceptance

In its official response, Hamas stated it was willing to release all remaining captives in exchange for an end to the war and a full ‘Israeli’ military withdrawal from Gaza, but requested negotiations on many of the plan's specific details.

Privately, Netanyahu characterized this as a rejection and sought to coordinate a response with the US to prevent a narrative that Hamas had agreed to the terms.

In contrast, a senior US official noted that Trump had been concerned about an outright rejection from Hamas and saw their actual response as a vital opening for negotiations.

Behind the Scenes

The unexpected tepid reaction from Netanyahu during the call led to Trump's fiery response.

While Netanyahu's aides later stressed that the two leaders were "totally aligned," US officials stated the dynamic in Friday's call was much more contentious.

Following the call, Trump issued a public statement urging ‘Israel’ to halt its airstrikes in Gaza, and three hours later, Netanyahu gave the order to do so.

Despite the "tough and firm" discussion, US officials confirmed that the two leaders ultimately reached an agreement.

"Ultimately, President Trump wants peace, and that's what matters most," one official said, adding that the administration is working closely with ‘Israel’ to achieve that goal.

Indirect negotiations between Hamas and ‘Israel’ are scheduled to begin in Egypt on Monday, with Trump's envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, expected to participate in an effort to finalize the deal this week.