Gaza and Hostage Deal is Not Emphasized, as Hamas Rejection of Bridging Proposal for Ceasefire has Stymied Progress and Israeli Escalation May Be in the Cards.

U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke by phone in recent days, with both leaders declaring themselves in lockstep on major issues from Iran’s nuclear ambitions to bilateral trade. Trump afterward said the call “went very well” and that he and Netanyahu “are on the same side of every issue,” including discussions on trade and Iran. However, the conversation pointedly did not touch on the ongoing crisis of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza—a sensitive subject amid stalled ceasefire negotiations.

The outreach comes as Israel presses for progress on freeing dozens of captives and as Washington pursues high-stakes nuclear talks with Tehran. These are parallel challenges testing the two allies’ alignment. According to Trump’s account, the call covered “numerous subjects including Trade, Iran, etc.”

It was the first direct conversation between the leaders since Netanyahu visited the White House two weeks ago. During that visit, Trump surprised the Israeli leader by revealing a U.S. decision to reenter negotiations with Iran. Trump also declined to roll back new tariffs on Israeli imports.

In the latest call, Trump emphasized unity with Netanyahu on regional threats and priorities. Notably absent from his public statement was any mention of Gaza or the 59 Israeli hostages still held by Hamas. Their fate remains in limbo as mediation efforts for a prisoner exchange or ceasefire have yet to bear fruit.

Talks to secure the release of those hostages have reached an impasse. Hamas has toughened its demands and announced it will no longer consider interim deals. The group insists on a “comprehensive deal” that includes a permanent ceasefire and release of Palestinian prisoners.

A senior Hamas official accused Netanyahu of using partial agreements to continue a “war of extermination.” He said Hamas refuses to “sacrifice” its captives for temporary truces. In essence, Hamas is demanding an all-or-nothing exchange: all hostages for a full ceasefire and far-reaching concessions.

Israel has rejected those terms. Jerusalem has reportedly offered a 45-day truce to allow staged hostage releases and initiate broader talks. But that proposal included conditions like disarming Hamas, which the terror group dismissed as “impossible.”

Mediators from Egypt and Qatar have attempted to bridge the gap. Several rounds of discussions, including recent meetings in Cairo, ended without progress. Palestinian and Egyptian sources described the talks as producing “no apparent breakthrough.”

The U.S. has backed Israel’s firm stance in public. A National Security Council spokesperson said, “Hamas’s comments demonstrate they are not interested in peace but perpetual violence.” He added that the Trump administration’s position remains unchanged: “release the hostages or face hell.”

As hostage diplomacy stalls, Washington has turned to another regional crisis: Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Talks between the U.S. and Iran have shown movement over the past week. In Rome, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met indirectly with Trump’s Middle East envoy through Omani intermediaries.

Both sides described “very good progress” and began working on a potential framework agreement. Araghchi said the talks led to “a better understanding” and called them useful and constructive. Expert teams are now drafting a document, with negotiators scheduled to reconvene this weekend.

Iran’s leadership has adopted a cautious but positive tone. Araghchi emphasized there’s no guarantee of success and said Tehran is proceeding “very cautiously.” Still, Iranian officials have indicated a willingness to accept limited curbs on nuclear activity in exchange for lifting sanctions.

Such an outcome would resemble the 2015 deal: strict enrichment caps and inspections, but no dismantling of facilities. Trump, who withdrew from that agreement during his first term, is now applying pressure mixed with outreach. He warned Tehran of “dire consequences” if it delays too long.

At the same time, Trump has signaled openness to a deal. “I’m for stopping Iran, very simply, from having a nuclear weapon,” he said. “I want Iran to be great and prosperous,” he added, emphasizing he’s not rushing to launch a strike if diplomacy can work.

Israel remains skeptical of any deal that allows Iran to retain nuclear infrastructure. Netanyahu insists any agreement must result in complete dismantlement of Iran’s capabilities. Israeli officials have not ruled out unilateral action if diplomacy fails.

Sources say Israel is weighing a limited military strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities later this year. Israeli planners have presented scenarios requiring minimal U.S. support. These strike options aim to delay Iran’s progress if the diplomatic path collapses.

Trump has reportedly asked Netanyahu to hold off on unilateral moves. For now, with negotiations underway, the military option remains a contingency. Publicly, the two leaders continue to project solidarity despite underlying tensions.

“We are on the same side of every issue,” Trump wrote after the call. That declaration of unity masks complex disagreements still playing out behind the scenes. The weeks ahead will test whether the alliance can hold amid nuclear diplomacy and a hostage crisis with no clear end.