Donald Trump has reportedly told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he hopes Israel will have resolved the ongoing conflict in Gaza by the time he might return to office, according to two sources who spoke to The Times of Israel this week. The message, sources say, was initially conveyed during a July meeting at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.

While Trump has openly urged Netanyahu to aim for a swift resolution in Gaza, this is the first report indicating that he attached a loose timeline, seeking an end to the war before a potential return to the White House. A former Trump administration official noted, however, that Trump’s request was not highly specific and would likely permit “residual” IDF activity in Gaza, provided Israel has formally concluded the war.

Netanyahu has emphasized Israel’s intention to maintain security oversight in Gaza, with discussions of a buffer zone and recurring IDF operations if Hamas attempts to regroup. On Monday, he addressed members of his Likud party, disclosing in a leaked recording that Israel cannot currently agree to Hamas’s offer to release hostages in exchange for a ceasefire, signaling the conflict is far from over.

In recent weeks, Trump has indicated he would give Israel broader latitude in military decision-making, criticizing President Joe Biden for allegedly constraining Israeli actions following Iran’s recent missile attack.

For Trump, a pre-inauguration resolution also includes securing the return of hostages, a priority he underscored at the Republican National Convention in July, warning that any group detaining Americans will face severe repercussions if they are not freed before he takes office.

Since their Mar-a-Lago meeting, Trump and Netanyahu have maintained frequent contact. In recent remarks, Trump said Netanyahu had called him two days in a row, underlining their ongoing communication.

Two senior Israeli officials expressed concern over Trump’s calls for a swift end to the Gaza conflict, fearing that an inability to conclude the war before his potential inauguration could create tension if Trump wins next week’s election. “There are internal political constraints to ending the war quickly,” a security official stated, referencing the composition of Netanyahu’s coalition, which includes far-right ministers opposing hostage deals that would result in a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. Near-unanimous opposition within Netanyahu’s government also complicates the possibility of allowing the Palestinian Authority a governance role in Gaza, adding to the challenges in finding a viable alternative to Hamas control.

Some officials speculate that prolonging the war could also strain U.S.-Israel relations if Vice President Kamala Harris wins the presidency. A member of Israel’s opposition, speaking anonymously, noted that “Netanyahu has managed clashes with Democratic presidents without paying a heavy price. But a fight with Trump is something he hasn’t really had to deal with and would likely want to avoid.” However, Netanyahu’s reliance on the support of far-right cabinet ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben Gvir could complicate his response to any U.S. pressures to resolve the conflict.

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