Benjamin Netanyahu has emerged as one of the most influential leaders in the current Gaza war. He deftly weaves through the new realities of U.S. foreign policy as redefined by Donald Trump. Once Trump was inaugurated on January 20, 2017, he largely seized the initiative. He managed to use pressure to force Netanyahu’s hand and get him to accept the need for a ceasefire in Gaza. As developments unfolded, it became evident that Netanyahu managed to impose his will on an administration that typically wields greater influence.
The ceasefire — entered into just before Trump’s inauguration — marked an uneasy truce that was short lived. Netanyahu re-entered Gaza militarily by March and civilian casualties were devastating. According to reports, about 15 out of 16 people the Israeli military has killed in Gaza have been civilians. This escalation deeply challenged the efficacy of Trump’s policies as well as his competency to be the mediator of peace he claimed to be in the region.
Trump, who has long promoted the image of a great deal-maker, seemed to be outflanked by Netanyahu. This meant that Netanyahu initially enjoyed the advantage. As he finally did, he got nearly everything he wanted from the U.S. administration, due mainly to the unyielding support of Trump himself. This dynamic made for a difficult relationship—filled with both partnership and friction.
Similarly, the Trump administration’s peace plan for Gaza required Hamas to disarm and return Israeli hostages. It reduced the areas in which Israeli troops could indefinitely maintain a presence in Gaza. Both Jared Kushner and partner Steve Witkoff personally spent thousands of hours in negotiations with Netanyahu. He skillfully rolled with those punches and made critical last-minute changes to the U.S. proposal in those discussions. Netanyahu demonstrated extraordinary flexibility in talks. This strength underscored his relatively strong position, despite an administration keen to reap the rewards of a peace accord.
Netanyahu’s strategy included flattering Trump while appealing to his grievances, particularly regarding his exclusion from prestigious recognitions like the Nobel Peace Prize. In an unexpected move, Netanyahu announced publicly that he had nominated Trump for the award, earning yet more brownie points from Trump, as he further impressed his new friend.
During a meeting in February, Trump floated an ambitious idea that involved the U.S. taking control of Gaza and transforming it into a “Riviera of the Middle East.” Trump received a lot of flak when he made this proposal. Ultimately, he gave up on it, a reflection of immense difficulty in making his vision for that area come to life.
Despite these overtures, Netanyahu’s moves have raised serious questions about the Trump peace deal’s viability. After the ceasefire ran its course two months later, Netanyahu called off any further talks with Hamas. In a subsequent statement, Trump warned Hamas officials that they would “pay in hell” if they rejected his plan, emphasizing the pressure he was willing to exert.
Netanyahu’s tactical maneuvering could soon put Trump’s peacekeeping aspirations in Gaza at risk. The continuing war has placed Trump in a bind. He is just fighting for survival with an increasingly spiraling situation. Whether his efforts to negotiate peace in Gaza or to approach it as if it were an office park, real estate style, have been enough to stop bloodshed.