Trump to Netanyahu: ‘Wrap It Up’ on Gaza War, Pushes Ceasefire/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Trump has expressed mounting frustration with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu over the ongoing Gaza war, urging him to “wrap it up,” according to U.S. officials. The president seeks a swift ceasefire and aid delivery as global pressure on Israel intensifies. Washington denies it’s abandoning Israel but acknowledges diverging views.
Trump-Netanyahu Gaza Talks Quick Looks
- Trump told aides to press Netanyahu to end Gaza war.
- U.S. pushing new ceasefire and hostage proposal via envoy Steve Witkoff.
- Trump upset over images of Palestinian children and blocked aid.
- Israel continues major military campaign in Gaza, displacing civilians.
- Netanyahu under fire from U.K., France, Canada over humanitarian crisis.
- British government halts trade talks and imposes new sanctions on Israel.
- Trump feels war is stalling broader Middle East peace efforts.
- VP Vance canceled Israel visit due to Israeli military escalation.
- Trump ordered unilateral effort to free American-Israeli hostage.
- White House maintains “ironclad” support for Israel despite policy gaps.
Deep Look: Trump Presses Netanyahu to End Gaza War, Says U.S. Officials
WASHINGTON, D.C. — May 21, 2025 — President Donald Trump is growing increasingly frustrated with the prolonged war in Gaza and has privately urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to bring the conflict to a close, two senior White House officials confirmed to the Associated Press.
In closed-door meetings, Trump instructed aides to relay a pointed message to Netanyahu: “Wrap it up.”
“The president is frustrated about what is happening in Gaza,” one official said. “He wants the war to end, he wants the hostages to come home, he wants aid to go in, and he wants to start rebuilding Gaza.”
The internal pressure reflects Trump’s shift toward finalizing a regional peace agenda — now delayed by the Israeli military’s aggressive campaign in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis unfolding there.
Tensions Rise Over Humanitarian Impact
Trump’s concern reportedly intensified following graphic images of Palestinian children and infants suffering due to Israel’s blockade of aid. He personally intervened last week to push Israel to reopen aid channels.
“The president was upset by the pictures,” one official said. “He pushed hard for aid to resume.”
On Sunday, Israel approved the resumption of aid deliveries, and by Monday, 12 trucks carrying baby food and supplies entered Gaza. However, the White House says this is not enough. The United Nations warns that thousands of children risk starvation unless aid scales up quickly.
New Ceasefire Proposal in Play
Following Trump’s Middle East tour, envoy Steve Witkoff presented a new ceasefire and hostage deal to both Israel and Hamas, in coordination with Palestinian-American intermediary Bishara Bahbah.
However, negotiations have stalled, and Israeli forces are continuing with “Operation Gideon’s Chariots”, aimed at displacing 2 million Palestinians and destroying Hamas infrastructure.
A U.S. official noted: “The talks have hit a logjam, and it’s clear from VP Vance canceling his visit to Israel that the U.S. is displeased with the current direction of Israeli policy.”
Global Allies Now Join U.S. in Criticism
On Monday, the U.K., France, and Canada issued a stern joint warning to Israel, saying they would take “concrete actions” if Netanyahu’s government did not halt military operations and lift aid restrictions.
In response, Netanyahu accused these countries of rewarding terrorism and claimed they were “offering a huge prize” to Hamas for the October 7 attacks.
Behind the Scenes: Trump’s Broader Agenda
According to White House officials, Trump sees the Gaza war as a roadblock to broader strategic goals in the region.
“The president sees a real chance for peace and prosperity in the region, but the war in Gaza is the last hot spot,” said one official.
Another added that the crisis is distracting from other priorities, prompting Trump to act unilaterally in securing the release of American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander, rather than waiting for a broader deal.
Netanyahu Resisting Pressure — For Now
Despite Trump’s mounting concerns, sources say Netanyahu does not yet feel serious pressure from the U.S.
“If the president wants a deal, he needs to put much more pressure on both sides,” an Israeli official told Axios.
Still, the diplomatic tide may be shifting, with Trump now balancing a tightrope between maintaining ironclad support for Israel and responding to the growing humanitarian and geopolitical costs of the war.
White House Message: Support, But Not Silence
In a Fox News interview, hostage envoy Adan Boehler insisted that reports claiming the U.S. threatened to abandon Israel were “fake,” but acknowledged Trump is “speaking strongly” and urgently wants a resolution.
“He wants to see this conflict in the region end,” said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. “He’s made it very clear to Hamas and to Israel.”
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