Egypt Daily News – Israeli Army Radio reported on Thursday, citing sources close to former U.S. President Donald Trump, that Trump’s team informed Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer that Trump has decided to cut off communication with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
According to these sources, Trump believes that Netanyahu has been manipulating him, prompting the former president to distance himself from the Israeli leader.
Earlier, Israel’s Channel 14 also quoted Trump associates saying that Trump intends to advance his initiatives in the Middle East without waiting for Netanyahu, indicating a growing rift between the two figures who once shared a close alliance.
Later in the day, Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir criticized the U.S.–Houthi ceasefire agreement, remarking:
“It’s a mistake to think Trump is working for us—we must rely on ourselves.”
Ben Gvir added:
“We must make it clear to Trump that allowing humanitarian aid into Gaza harms our chances of achieving victory.”
He concluded by emphasizing:
“Israel cannot rely on the Americans to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear program.”
Meanwhile, Netanyahu stated that Israel had no involvement in the U.S. decision to halt its operations against the Houthis in Yemen.
On the Yemeni front, the Houthi movement reportedly sent an indirect message to the United States, warning that continued escalation would impact Trump’s potential visit to the region.
Senior Houthi leader Mahdi Al-Mashat told Yemen’s Saba News Agency on Wednesday:
“If the criminal Trump wants to stop the aggression and compensate for the damage, that’s his choice,” affirming the group’s commitment to supporting Gaza regardless of the cost.
He further stated that recent events “prove our strikes are painful and will continue.”
Al-Mashat concluded:
“The Israeli aggression confirms to our people the righteousness of their cause and resistance… The response will be powerful and painful, beyond what the Zionist enemy can endure.”
