Trump Reportedly ready to "Punish Netanyahu severely" if Gaza agreement collapses

Published October 25th, 2025 - 10:59 GMT
Trump Reportedly ready to "Punish Netanyahu severely" if Gaza agreement collapses
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu whispers to US President Donald Trump (L) at the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, in Jerusalem on October 13, 2025. Hamas handed over the 20 surviving Israeli hostages on October 13 under a ceasefire agreement, as the US President and other world leaders geared up for a summit on Gaza. The releases are part of a ceasefire agreement brokered by the US President, with Israel due in return to free nearly 2,000 detainees held in its jails in exchange. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / POOL / AFP)

ALBAWABA - The White House is becoming more and more worried about how Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has acted since the Gaza ceasefire deal, which was a major agreement made by the United States to end months of fighting between Israel and Hamas.

Israel's Channel 12 says that high-ranking U.S. officials are worried that Netanyahu's actions could put the fragile peace deal at risk. A high-ranking American source said that the Israeli leader is "walking a very thin line" when he talks to President Donald Trump. They warned that "if he keeps going down this path and undermines the deal, Trump will not hesitate to punish him severely."

The comments come at a time when the U.S. is very busy diplomatically making sure the Gaza agreement is fully carried out.

On Thursday, Vice President J.D. Vance ended a visit to Israel that lasted several days. During that time, he met with officials from both Israel and Palestine. Friday saw Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrive in Tel Aviv to keep an eye on how the first phase of the ceasefire deal was going. Washington called the deal the most important diplomatic breakthrough in the Middle East since Trump took office.

Vance said at a press conference earlier this week that he was "deeply optimistic" about the ceasefire's chances, but he also warned that success was not guaranteed.

He said, "Everyone should be proud of how far we've come." "This will take a lot of work, supervision, and dedication. You don't reach tough goals by only doing what's safe. You have to take risks and keep going. That's what the President told us to do. 

Not sure about Israel's commitment 

Officials say that the White House is worried because Netanyahu's coalition has been sending mixed signals since the deal went into effect. American diplomats are worried that political problems in Israel could get in the way of the next steps in the peace plan, especially efforts to improve humanitarian access in Gaza and get ready for long-term rebuilding.

U.S. sources stressed that Washington is still committed to making the ceasefire work and will keep talking directly with both Israeli and regional partners to make sure that nothing goes wrong that could cause tensions to rise again in Gaza.

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