U.S. slams Israel: Saudi agreement moves forward without Hostage Deal

In a striking meeting yesterday, a senior U.S. negotiation team member delivered a stern warning to families of Israeli hostages, criticizing Israel’s failure to capitalize on a potential agreement with Saudi Arabia, as first reported on Israel’s main news broadcast. The official, addressing the stalled hostage release talks, emphasized that President Donald Trump is determined to forge a strategic deal with Saudi Arabia, even if Israel opts out. “If until now they paid the price of not ending the war, today the price will be much heavier for Israel, and not just for the hostages,” the official stated, according to sources present. The U.S. sees the Saudi deal, termed the “deal of the millennium,” as a cornerstone of its regional strategy, with a recent Houthi ceasefire serving as a precursor. “If Israel does not come to its senses, the deal will proceed without it,” the official warned.

The discussion, held amid a deadlock in hostage negotiations, saw the U.S. official align with the families’ concerns that intensified military pressure could endanger the 24 living hostages, three of whom face grave risks, per Israeli sources. This stance contrasts sharply with Israel’s current approach, highlighting tensions between the Trump administration and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government. The official underscored the U.S.’s resolve: “We hope Israel will seize the historic train that has left the station, but the U.S. will not wait at the platform.” This message alarmed families, who fear Israel’s exclusion from regional diplomatic processes could jeopardize their loved ones’ fate.

The Saudi agreement, potentially reshaping Middle East alliances, follows Trump’s broader push for normalization, building on the 2020 Abraham Accords. Israel’s hesitation, driven by domestic political pressures and ongoing conflicts with Hamas and the Houthis, risks isolating it from a transformative deal. The U.S.’s firm position signals a shift, prioritizing regional stability over Israel’s indecision, leaving families and policymakers grappling with the high stakes of diplomatic missteps.