Former U.S. President Donald Trump has reportedly issued a final ultimatum to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, demanding an end to the ongoing war in Gaza within the next two to three weeks, according to a report by Israel’s Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper.
The report states:
“President Donald Trump is beginning to lose patience with developments in the Gaza war and has given Netanyahu a window of two to three weeks to end the fighting.”
The warning came one day after a meeting between the two leaders at the White House, during which Trump reiterated his support for Israel’s military campaign, but emphasised the need for swift resolution.
Pressure Behind Closed Doors
While Netanyahu publicly praised Trump’s stance during a press briefing before returning to the occupation state, quoting the former president as saying, “This man is working tirelessly to free the hostages,” the article suggests that Trump’s patience is wearing thin behind the scenes.
The U.S. president is reportedly urging a comprehensive deal that would not only secure the release of the 59 Israeli hostages held by Hamas, but also bring an end to the war — a condition Trump views as increasingly urgent.
A Wider Strategic Framework
According to American sources cited in the report, the issue of the hostages was a central focus of the White House discussions. The U.S. has intensified pressure on Tel Aviv to speed up the hostage negotiation process, urging Israel to consider a broader regional strategy.
This includes:
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- Reaching a ceasefire agreement with Hamas,
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- Advancing normalisation talks with Saudi Arabia,
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- And possibly opening the door for renewed negotiations with Iran regarding its nuclear file.
Trump, the report says, granted Netanyahu a short extension to continue military operations, but made it clear that this grace period would not exceed three weeks. The ultimate goal, Trump emphasised, is to end the war quickly without dragging the region into further chaos.
Public Support vs Private Pressure
Despite the mounting pressure, Netanyahu’s office issued a statement highlighting Trump’s “full support” for Israel’s military objectives, asserting that Washington remains politically aligned with Israel’s fight against Hamas.
However, the same statement also confirmed that the U.S. is applying diplomatic pressure on mediators, complementing Israel’s military pressure, in hopes of progressing on the hostage file.
Trump’s messaging has remained nuanced. In previous comments, he acknowledged that the war may take longer than expected, but stressed the importance of not prolonging it unnecessarily.
In a joint statement with Netanyahu, Trump remarked:
“We’re trying to get all the hostages released. It’s a long process — but it shouldn’t be this long. Hopefully, the Israelis appreciate what we’re doing.”
Reading Between the Lines: U.S. Frustration Grows
While Trump continues to project public support for Israel, this latest report suggests a shift — from unconditional backing to conditional timelines. Behind the scenes, Washington appears to be growing increasingly frustrated with Israel’s slow pace and reluctance to commit to a broader political solution.
The Israeli war on Gaza, now in its most destructive phase, has drawn international condemnation — with civilian casualties mounting, infrastructure obliterated, and no clear endgame. Trump’s demand for a deal indicates a recognition that the war is politically unsustainable, economically draining, and strategically destabilising the wider region.
In this context, Trump’s pressure is less about withdrawing support, and more about forcing Israel toward a political outcome — one that potentially resets the regional equation and avoids further escalation with Iran, Lebanon, or even Turkey.
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