Netanyahu Informed U.S. of Gaza Strikes Beforehand, PMO Confirms: Vance Downplays Escalation

Israel notified the Trump administration of its plan to strike Gaza City only after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had already ordered the operation in response to Hamas’ repeated violations of the ceasefire, according to the Prime Minister’s Office.

“The prime minister made the decision to carry out the strike, gave the order to the military to execute it and afterward informed the United States,” the PMO said.

Officials from both Israel and the U.S. told The Times of Israel that Washington was briefed after Jerusalem finalized its decision, but before the strikes were actually launched.

“We were informed,” a Trump administration official stated, explaining that the U.S.-led Civil-Military Coordination Center in Kiryat Gat—responsible for supervising the ceasefire and monitoring Washington’s Gaza peace framework—served as the channel for communication between the two governments.

An Israeli official confirmed that “there were talks with the Americans” about Israel’s intended response before the military acted.

Both political and defense-level discussions reportedly took place between the allies.

Meanwhile, despite the latest exchange of fire between Israel and Hamas terrorists, U.S. Vice President JD Vance told reporters that the ceasefire would remain in place.

“There are going to be little skirmishes here and there. We know Hamas attacked an IDF soldier. We expect the Israelis are going to respond,” Vance said.