The next day, in an interview with Sean Hannity of Fox News, Netanyahu, again, appeared to praise the thought process behind the idea, which he called “the first good idea that I’ve heard,” rather than endorsing the actual plan of having the U.S. control Gaza for the foreseeable future.

Finally, in an interview with Israel’s Channel 14, Netanyahu denied he had been surprised, noting,
“I knew about this general direction, but I think it was the world who was surprised.”

The prime minister also apparently adopted the plan as Israel’s new policy for a “day after,” which he stressed would only come after Hamas was removed from the area.

Several recent media reports, while only citing anonymous sources, supported the impression that Netanyahu knew something was coming, but was caught off guard by the scope of Trump’s plan.