Senior US official threatens Tel Aviv: Israel will pay a heavy price

Israeli media reported that a senior US official said that the Tel Aviv government would pay a heavy price if it did not agree to a ceasefire and prisoner swap agreement in Gaza.

According to the Israeli newspaper The Jerusalem Post, a meeting was held between families of Israeli prisoners in Gaza and US officials.

A senior US official at the meeting slammed Israel's stance in negotiations over a Gaza ceasefire and prisoner swap deal, saying the US would reach a regional deal with Saudi Arabia even if Israel was not involved.

The official, who noted that the prisoners in Gaza have so far paid the price for not ending the war, said, " The price will be very heavy, not only for the prisoners but also for Israel if it does not make a deal ."

The US official, whose name was not shared in the report, emphasized that the ceasefire agreement with the Houthis was only the beginning, saying, " If Israel does not come to its senses, the agreement will be made without Israel ."

It was reported that the relatives of the Israeli prisoners present at the meeting interpreted the expressions used by the US official as "a change of tone coming from an ally traditionally seen as supporting Israel unconditionally."