Channel 12: U.S.-Israel Tensions Rise Over Prisoners and Strategic Deal with Saudi Arabia

Tensions between Washington and Tel Aviv have escalated significantly, as a high-ranking U.S. official issued a blunt warning: the United States will no longer wait for Israel. According to Israeli Channel 12, President Donald Trump is now determined to move forward with a major strategic deal with Saudi Arabia — even without Israeli participation.

This sharp message emerged during a closed-door meeting on Tuesday between the families of Israeli captives and a member of the American negotiating team. The U.S. official reportedly delivered unprecedented criticism of the Israeli government’s handling of both the prisoner exchange file and the broader regional agreement with Riyadh.

“The Cost Will Now Be Paid by Israel”

According to Channel 12, attendees quoted the American envoy as saying:

“If until now they paid the price for not ending the war, the cost today will be heavier — and it will be on Israel, not just the hostages.”

He added that the recent ceasefire agreement with the Houthis was only a prelude, and warned:

“If Israel doesn’t wake up, the ‘Deal of the Century’ will move forward without it.”

This direct rebuke reflects mounting U.S. frustration as negotiations on a prisoner exchange remain stalled, prompting families of Israeli captives to ramp up political and diplomatic pressure.

The American official acknowledged the families’ concerns, especially the risk that continued Israeli military aggression may endanger their loved ones — a position that contradicts the hardline stance of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.

U.S.–Israel Rift Over Regional Strategy

The comments mark a deepening divide between the Trump administration and Israel, particularly regarding Washington’s broader strategic vision for the Middle East.

The U.S. official emphasized that the planned agreement with Saudi Arabia represents a “historic train that has already departed.” He added:

“We hope Israel boards that train — but America won’t wait at the station.”

Channel 12 described the shift in U.S. tone as a clear warning: Israel’s involvement in future regional arrangements is no longer guaranteed. Should Tel Aviv continue on its current course, it risks being sidelined from the political reshaping of the Middle East, and losing its strategic influence in the process.

A Shifting Map Without Israel?

The American pivot — prioritising regional deals with Arab states, prisoner diplomacy, and a de-escalation approach — signals a possible reconfiguration of U.S. alliances in the Middle East, especially as Israel becomes more isolated amid its ongoing war in Gaza.

With Riyadh increasingly engaging in dialogue with Washington and other regional players, and with resistance movements like the Houthis entering ceasefire agreements, the era of unconditional U.S. deference to Israel may be nearing an end.

If Israel continues to act as a spoiler — refusing compromise and escalating militarily — it may find itself watching from the sidelines as the region moves on without it.