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U.S. President Trump has expressed growing frustration over the prolonged conflict in Gaza, directing his aides to convey to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he wants the war concluded, according to two White House officials.
The president has been particularly disturbed by images of Palestinian children suffering in Gaza, officials told Axios.
"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," one White House official said.
Despite these tensions, U.S. and Israeli officials deny claims that Trump is prepared to "abandon" Israel or that he is applying intense pressure on Netanyahu.
They acknowledge, however, that policy differences are emerging between Trump's desire to end the conflict and Netanyahu's military expansion.
White House envoy Steve Witkoff has been leading negotiations with both Israeli officials and Hamas leadership for a new hostage and cease-fire proposal. Witkoff's communications with Hamas have been facilitated through Palestinian-American businessman Bishara Bahbah.
These talks have shown minimal progress while Israeli forces continue operations reportedly aimed at relocating all 2 million Palestinians in Gaza to a "humanitarian zone" and destroying most of the territory.
The diplomatic impasse and deteriorating conditions led Vice President Vance to cancel his planned visit to Israel this week, signaling U.S. discontent with current Israeli policies in Gaza.
An Israeli official told Axios that Netanyahu does not currently feel significant pressure from Trump. "If the president wants a hostage and ceasefire deal in Gaza, he needs to put much more pressure on both sides," the official said.
While the U.S. approach has remained relatively measured, other Western allies have taken stronger positions. The leaders of the United Kingdom, France, and Canada issued a joint statement Monday threatening action against Israel over its Gaza operations.
"We will not stand by while the Netanyahu government pursues these egregious actions. If Israel does not cease the renewed military offensive and lift its restrictions on humanitarian aid, we will take further concrete actions in response," they stated.
Netanyahu rejected their demands, accusing "the leaders in London, Ottawa and Paris" of "offering a huge prize for the genocidal attack on Israel on Oct. 7 while inviting more such atrocities."
Britain has already suspended free trade negotiations with Israel, imposed new sanctions on Israeli settlers involved in West Bank violence, and summoned Israel's ambassador to the Foreign Office in London.
According to a White House official, the president was disturbed by images of suffering children in Gaza and urged Israeli officials to reopen aid channels. On Sunday, Israel's cabinet approved resuming aid deliveries, with a dozen trucks carrying baby food and other supplies entering Gaza on Monday.
"More needs to be done," a White House official said.
The United Nations has warned that thousands of children risk starvation without significant increases in aid. According to the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry, more than 55,000 Palestinians have been killed during the war.
A senior White House official said that while Trump considered his recent Middle East trip successful, he believes the Gaza conflict is impeding his broader regional plans.
"The President sees a real chance for peace and prosperity in the region, but the war in Gaza is the last hot spot, and he wants it to end," the official said.
Another White House official described the war as "a distraction from other things Trump wants to do," adding, "There is a lot of frustration by this crisis getting dragged on."
This frustration reportedly influenced Trump's decision to move unilaterally in securing the release of American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander rather than waiting for Israel to agree to a broader deal.
Despite these tensions, Trump's hostage response envoy, Adan Boehler, told Fox News on Monday that Trump's support for Israel remains "ironclad," dismissing a Washington Post report claiming the administration threatened to "abandon" Israel as "fake."
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt reiterated Monday that Trump had "made it very clear to Hamas that he wanted to see all hostages released" and "made it very clear he wants to see this conflict in the region end."
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