US President Donald Trump is reportedly playing down Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s rejection of key elements of a US-backed Gaza roadmap, viewing his public opposition largely through the lens of Israel’s election campaign.

According to Axios, a senior US official said the White House was not concerned by Netanyahu’s latest remarks, provided the Israeli government continues to comply with Washington’s demands to restrain military operations, particularly in Gaza.

“We understand Bibi’s political needs,” the official told Axios, adding that Washington had no objection to Netanyahu’s rhetoric as long as he continued to follow US requests, “especially regarding restraining attacks in Gaza.”

The comments indicate that Washington is increasingly focused on Israel’s actions on the ground rather than Netanyahu’s public statements, even as differences emerge between the US administration and the Israeli government over the future of the Gaza war.

Netanyahu said Sunday that Israel does not accept the 15-point Gaza document endorsed by Trump’s so-called Board of Peace, insisting that Israeli forces would not withdraw from Gaza until Hamas was fully disarmed.

His position places him at odds with a roadmap that reportedly envisions Hamas disarmament and an Israeli military withdrawal proceeding gradually and alongside one another.

According to Axios, Netanyahu discussed the proposal last week with Trump’s envoy and son-in-law Jared Kushner, expressing doubts that Hamas would surrender its weapons.

Nevertheless, Netanyahu reportedly agreed to allow the initiative to move forward while limiting Israeli attacks and preventing Israeli forces from advancing beyond the designated “Yellow Line.”

The line currently separates areas under Israeli military control from areas where Palestinians are permitted to move and encompasses roughly 70% of the Gaza Strip, according to the report.

US officials reportedly believe Israel has largely honored its commitments in recent days by reducing the intensity of its attacks. Washington now appears to be seeking to use the reduction in violence as leverage to push Hamas toward discussions over disarmament.

Israeli Channel 12 likewise cited a senior US source as saying Washington was not troubled by Netanyahu’s public rejection of parts of the plan.

The remarks highlight a growing gap between Washington’s stated desire to reduce regional hostilities and Netanyahu’s insistence on maintaining broad military freedom of action.

The dispute over Gaza comes as the Trump administration reportedly seeks to reduce Israeli military operations across Gaza, Lebanon and Iran.

According to Israel’s Channel 13, US Central Command chief Adm. Brad Cooper urged Israeli officials during a visit Saturday to move toward what he described as “closing the three fronts.”

Political sources cited by the broadcaster said Washington wants progress toward ending or substantially reducing military confrontations across the three theatres.

The reports point to mounting US concerns over the possibility of a broader regional conflict and the strategic and political costs of continued Israeli military operations.

In Gaza, Washington is reportedly pushing for progress on the next stage of Trump’s plan, including the deployment of a multinational stabilization force.

Channel 13 reported that hundreds of troops from Morocco and Uganda are already participating in the force.

At the same time, Israeli security officials have reportedly complained to their political leadership about US pressure to halt targeted killings and reduce military attacks in Gaza.

A senior Israeli military officer cited by Channel 13 said the message delivered by Washington to Israel’s security establishment was to “move toward closing the three fronts.”

The developments underscore the increasingly visible tensions between Washington’s push for de-escalation and the Israeli leadership’s determination to preserve its military options.

For Iran and other regional actors opposed to Israel’s military campaign, the reported US pressure offers further evidence that the continuation of the conflict is creating growing strategic and political costs for Washington, while exposing deep divisions over Israel’s conduct of the war.

The coming weeks are likely to determine whether Washington can translate its calls for restraint into a meaningful reduction in Israeli military operations across the region, or whether Netanyahu’s government will continue pursuing a broader military agenda despite growing US pressure. (ILKHA)