The United States has put significant pressure on Israel to achieve a ceasefire and hostage exchange agreement with Hamas before President Donald Trump visits the Middle East or risk Washington’s further support, Haaretz reported on Friday, citing people familiar with the matter. The sources also said that it was US Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff that Channel 12 reported as criticizing Israel for the way it approached the hostage situation. “If until today, the hostages paid the price for not ending the war, then today the price will be much heavier for Israel, and not only the hostages,” the official that Channel 12 cited said. The official, allegedly Witkoff, also slammed Israel for not using the potential nuclear deal between the US and Saudi Arabia to its advantage. Haaretz’s sources added that Witkoff wanted his words to be leaked to the press.
Hegseth supposedly cancels trip to Israel
United States Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth canceled his visit to Israel, the Jerusalem Post reported on Friday, citing a source familiar with the matter. He was expected to arrive in the country on May 12, although his trip was not confirmed by the Pentagon. The newspaper did not provide a reason for the supposed cancellation. According to a separate report by Haaretz, the US is now pushing Israel toward a deal with Hamas that would end the conflict in the Gaza Strip after Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich claimed Gaza will be “entirely destroyed.”
Trump meets Netanyahu aide ahead of Mideast trip
United States President Donald Trump held a private meeting Thursday at the White House with Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer (pictured right), a top adviser to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Axios reported, citing two sources briefed on the meeting. The discussion focused on the conflict in Gaza and US nuclear talks with Iran, which are set to resume Sunday in Oman. The meeting came shortly after Trump announced a ceasefire with Yemen’s Houthis, reportedly catching Israeli officials off guard. “We were shocked… and learned about it from the television,” an Israeli official was cited as saying.
Trump is scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) next week but will not stop in Israel.
Israel says it struck 60 sites in Gaza
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Friday it had struck around 60 targets across the Gaza Strip in the past 24 hours, including buildings that were reportedly used for storing weapons and positions from which missiles were fired. The operations involved air and ground forces, particularly in southern Gaza. According to the military, one person was shot near a tunnel shaft, and another airstrike hit a structure linked to projectile launches. The situation for Palestinians in Gaza remains dire, as international warnings persist over the severe humanitarian crisis, which has been described as a consequence of Israel’s genocidal actions.