Did US threaten to 'abandon' Israel if it continues war in Gaza? What we know

The Trump administration has warned Israel that continuing its military campaign in Gaza could lead to a loss of US support, according to a report by the Washington Post on Monday.

Citing an unnamed source familiar with the talks, the newspaper said that US officials have told Israel it could lose American backing if the conflict does not stop.

"Trump's people are letting Israel know, 'We will abandon you if you do not end this war,'" the source was quoted as saying by the Washington Post.

The source added, "Politically, as in the past, Netanyahu has a way to do that, with a huge majority in the Knesset and in Israel, but he does not have the political will."

Also read: Israeli strikes across Gaza kills at least 60

Netanyahu currently has a 67-seat majority in the 120-seat Knesset (Israel's Parliament). Some parties in his coalition have previously threatened to leave the alliance.

According to the Washington Post, the Trump administration increased its pressure after Israel called up many reservists and stepped up airstrikes in Gaza.

However, US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee denied the report. He told Ynet news website, "Their reporting is nonsense. They need to listen to what the president says – not what some uninformed ‘source’ pretends to know."

A senior US official also told The Times of Israel that there are differences between the Trump administration and Israel, but added, "the idea that we would abandon Israel is preposterous."

Meanwhile, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt also said on Monday that President Trump wants the fighting in Gaza to stop.

Responding to a question during a briefing about Netanyahu’s statement that Israel will take full control of Gaza, Leavitt said, "The president has made it very clear he wants to see this conflict in the region end. He wants all hostages to be released."