Inside Trump’s blunt exchange with Netanyahu after major development in Gaza peace deal: ‘So f–king negative’
President Trump blasted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and told him not to be “so f–king negative” for being a downer on Hamas accepting key parts of his Gaza peace deal, The Post has learned.
The blunt exchange unfolded when Trump called Netanyahu last Friday soon after the militant group finally responded to his plan, a source close to the White House said.
Despite Trump seeing the development as a major win amid his push to halt the war in Gaza, Netanyahu is said to have tried to pour cold water on it.
“I don’t know why you’re always so f–king negative. This is a win. Take it,” Trump apparently shot back.
Trump additionally complained that “Bibi is always trying to knife his deals,” according to the source.
Details of the call, which was first reported on by Axios, emerged as Israel and Hamas were set to begin indirect talks in Egypt on Monday after both sides signaled support for Trump’s peace plan.
Trump denied the utterance Monday afternoon, saying in the Oval Office: “No, it’s not true. He has been very positive.”
Hamas said Friday it planned to accept some elements of Trump’s 20-point blueprint for ending the conflict — including the release of Israeli hostages.
The group, however, stopped short of agreeing to calls for it to disarm and yield power in Gaza.
The first phase of the talks are slated to zero in on the release of hostages in exchange for Palestinians jailed in Israel.
“I am told that the first phase should be completed this week, and I am asking everyone to MOVE FAST,” Trump said in a social media post.
It isn’t clear how long the talks will last.
Netanyahu said they would be “confined to a few days maximum” but Hamas officials have warned more time may be needed to locate bodies of hostages buried under rubble.