Netanyahu’s office denies call with Trump about the Gaza hostage-ceasefire deal

• Axios earlier reported that Trump spoke on the phone with Netanyahu on Wednesday and discussed the Gaza hostage and ceasefire deal, citing two U.S. sources who were briefed on the call.
• White House Press Secretary Karine Jean Pierre said in a briefing on Wednesday with reporters that it is critical to reach a deal in order to release the hostages, bring relief to Palestinians in Gaza and decrease regional tensions.
• There are 115 hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza, where nearly 39,900 Palestinians have been killed, according to the local health ministry.

Driving the news: One source said Trump's call was intended to encourage Netanyahu to take the deal, but stressed he didn't know if this is indeed what the former president told Netanyahu.

• The Israeli Prime Minister's Office issued a statement denying the call took place after the story was published. The Trump campaign declined to comment.

Flashback: Last month, Trump said in an interview with Fox News that Israel needs to end the war in Gaza as soon as possible and bring back the hostages.

• In his meeting with Netanyahu at Mar-a-Lago a day after the Fox News interview, Trump said the situation with the hostages is very tough and that they have to be returned immediately.

Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect that Netanyahu's office denied a phone call took place on Wednesday between the Israeli prime minister and former President Trump.