U.S. Frustration Grows with Israel over Gaza War as Trump Eyes Saudi Deal Without Netanyahu

Watan-In a significant shift in Washington’s tone, a senior U.S. official expressed “growing frustration” with Tel Aviv’s handling of ceasefire and prisoner exchange negotiations with Hamas, warning that Israel will pay a heavy price for failing to end the war on Gaza.

In a statement to an Israeli TV channel, the official said: “Israel missed the train,” adding, “The U.S. will not wait on the platform. We hope Israel catches up with the historic train that has already left the station.”

According to Israel’s Channel 12, the unnamed American official made these remarks during a meeting held Monday evening with families of Israeli hostages held by Hamas.

U.S. Official Warns Israel: Hostage Crisis Deepens Amid Gaza War and Policy Stalemate

The official voiced full support for the hostages’ families, who believe that the ongoing genocide in Gaza endangers their loved ones—an opinion that stands in stark contrast to the policy of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, which continues to rely on military pressure as leverage.

The official added, “If the hostages have already paid the price for not ending the war, the cost will now be much heavier—not just for them, but for Israel.”

Israel estimates that 59 of its citizens are being held in Gaza, 24 of whom are believed to be alive. Meanwhile, over 9,900 Palestinians are imprisoned in Israeli jails, reportedly enduring torture, starvation, and medical neglect—conditions that have caused the deaths of many, according to Palestinian and Israeli human rights reports.

Channel 12 noted that the American official’s remarks left a shocking impact on the hostage families, who appeared visibly alarmed and anxious. Many later expressed concern not only about the content of the message but also what they perceived as an unprecedented change in Washington’s tone—the U.S. being a long-standing staunch ally of Israel.

Hamas has repeatedly affirmed its willingness to begin comprehensive negotiations to release all Israeli hostages “in one go,” in exchange for ending the war of annihilation and the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. However, Netanyahu—currently wanted by international justice—has continued to evade progress by introducing new demands, most recently the disarmament of Hamas, a condition the group rejects as long as the Israeli occupation persists.

Saudi Deal Without Israel

In a related development, the U.S. official emphasized that “President Trump is determined to move forward with a significant deal with Saudi Arabia—even without Israel’s involvement.”

He added, “The ceasefire agreement with the Houthis is just the beginning. If Israel doesn’t come to its senses, even the ‘Deal of the Century’ will move forward without it.” He reiterated: “We hope Israel catches up with the historic train that has already departed, but the U.S. won’t be waiting.”

Channel 12 commented on the official’s statements, saying: “If the Saudi deal—described by the Trump administration as a framework to stabilize the region and curb Iranian influence—is finalized without Israel’s input, it could dramatically reshape the diplomatic landscape and marginalize Israel at a critical moment.”

Trump Cuts Contact with Netanyahu

This comes amid Israeli media reports that Trump has cut off communication with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu due to suspicions that Netanyahu is trying to manipulate him.

Israeli Army Radio reporter Yaniv Kozin wrote on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday: “People close to Trump have told him Netanyahu is playing him—and there’s nothing Trump hates more than feeling like a fool. So he decided to cut contact.”

Kozin added: “That might change later, but that’s the situation right now.” He noted that Trump plans to proceed with his Middle East agenda without waiting for Netanyahu, amid growing divergence between the two on key regional issues.