President Donald Trump is reportedly expressing growing frustration with the ongoing war in Gaza and has urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to “wrap it up,” according to two White House officials. “The president is frustrated about what is happening in Gaza. 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,” a White House official told Axios. The official said Trump wants a resolution that addresses the humanitarian situation and secures the release of hostages. In recent weeks, Trump has focused on pressuring Israel to resume humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza, which had been halted entirely. Following the president’s intervention, the Israeli cabinet approved the resumption of aid on Sunday, with a dozen trucks carrying baby food and other supplies entering Gaza on Monday. However, the White House official noted that more aid is needed to address the crisis, as the United Nations has warned that thousands of children are at risk of starvation without significant increases in assistance. The Gaza conflict has strained U.S.-Israel relations. While U.S. and Israeli officials deny that Trump is prepared to “abandon” Israel or exert intense pressure on Netanyahu, they acknowledge growing policy differences between the two leaders. Trump’s push for a ceasefire and hostage release contrasts with Netanyahu’s expansion of military operations, including an IDF plan to displace approximately 2 million Palestinians to a “humanitarian zone” and flatten much of the enclave. Efforts to negotiate a ceasefire have shown little progress. White House envoy Steve Witkoff has been engaging directly with Netanyahu and his adviser Ron Dermer, as well as Hamas leadership through a backchannel facilitated by Palestinian-American businessman Bishara Bahbah. However, both sides remain entrenched, with Hamas seeking guarantees of a permanent ceasefire and Israel prioritizing the dismantling of Hamas’s control over Gaza. The lack of progress in negotiations led Vice President J.D. Vance to cancel a planned visit to Israel this week, reflecting U.S. frustration with Israel’s current policies. An Israeli official told Axios that Netanyahu does not currently feel significant pressure from Trump, suggesting that stronger measures would be needed to push both Israel and Hamas toward a deal. International pressure on Israel is also mounting. On Monday, leaders from the United Kingdom, France, and Canada issued a joint statement threatening actions against Israel if it does not halt its military offensive and lift restrictions on humanitarian aid. Trump’s frustration with the Gaza conflict stems in part from its impact on his broader Middle East agenda. A senior White House official noted that the president believes the war is hindering his regional plans, despite viewing his recent Middle East trip as a success. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)