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International Desk, May 9, 2025: The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump is exerting significant pressure on Israel to secure a ceasefire and hostage deal with the Palestinian armed group Hamas, according to Israeli media reports. With Trump scheduled to visit the Middle East in the coming days, the U.S. is keen on halting the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel in Gaza.
Citing a confidential source, Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported on Friday, May 9, that the U.S. has threatened to “leave Israel on its own” if it fails to comply with Washington’s directives to negotiate a ceasefire and hostage agreement with Hamas.
Previously, Israeli outlet Channel 12 reported that a U.S. official criticized Israel during a meeting with the families of hostages. Haaretz identified the official as Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy. Speaking to the hostages’ families, Witkoff reportedly said, “If the price of not stopping the war is borne by the hostages, the cost for Israel will now be even higher, and not just for the hostages.”
Witkoff further noted that Israel has missed an opportunity to establish diplomatic ties with Saudi Arabia. He revealed that the Trump administration is pursuing a nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia that no longer includes a condition for Riyadh to normalize relations with Israel. “If Israel does not come to its senses, the cost of missing opportunities will be even greater,” Witkoff warned.
Haaretz claimed that Witkoff deliberately leaked his critical remarks about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to the media. However, Witkoff’s office denied the report, stating that he is not pressuring Israel to agree to a ceasefire deal.
AI/MR
