Netanyahu's High-Wire Act: Trump, Iran, and the Gaza Power Play

Bibi Netanyahu BioSnap a weekly updated Biography.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu kicked off a tense week with a phone call to Russian President Vladimir Putin on January 16, according to the Kremlins official website, discussing regional tensions amid Irans unrest. The next day, Axios reported Netanyahu held a second call with US President Donald Trump on Iran, urging a delay on any US strike to let Israel prep for retaliation, though both offices stayed mum.

By January 18, ILTV Israel News flashed that Netanyahu summoned his war cabinet for an emergency huddle over Trumps Gaza Board of Peace, slamming the unconsulted inclusion of Turkey and Qatar as a security red flag. Tensions boiled as a senior US official snapped back, This is our show, not his show.

On January 19, Netanyahu hit the Knesset plenum for a fiery 40-signature debate, vowing per Jerusalem Post no Turkish or Qatari troops would tread Gaza soil, despite their Board roles. He insisted Phase B means Hamas disarmed and Gaza demilitarized, hard way or easy, while warning Iran of unprecedented payback if it strikes. Times of Israel noted he brushed off opposition jabs from Yair Lapid, who accused him of getting steamrolled by Trump post-Florida schmooze, and defended his governments anti-crime push in Arab areas as all-out war on terror-like gangs.

That same day, legendary conductor Zubin Mehta dropped a bombshell in India Today, canceling all Israel gigs this year over Netanyahus handling of Palestinians, hoping voters boot him soon. Buzz swirled too on a Channel 12 probe into aides allegedly leaking classified intel to Bild in 2024 to sway hostage talks.

Netanyahu told The Economist he eyes weaning Israel off US aid in a decade, skipping full renewal of the 3.8 billion package by 2028a bold pivot with Trump in the White House. No fresh public sightings or social media pops, but these Gaza-Trump clashes could etch deep into his legacy as peacemaker or pawn. Word count: 378

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