Only a few weeks ago, President Donald Trump seemed confident a deal was days away that would end the fighting in Gaza, secure the release of hostages and allow aid to flow into an enclave where people are starving to death.

An Israeli strike last week hit a Catholic church in Gaza, and also bombarded Syria during sectarian violence there. The comments were a rare suggestion of daylight between Trump and Netanyahu.

Over a series of escalations across the Middle East, Netanyahu appears to be gambling with the Trump Administration’s patience.

President Donald Trump was caught by surprise last week by Israeli actions in Gaza and Syria, and in both instances phoned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to “rectify” the matter, according to the White House.

We cannot again be held hostage again by a leftist White House that arrogantly thinks it can direct Israel’s wars, have veto power over our foreign policy and obscenely attempt to unseat our elected prime minister,

Trump and Israel’s Netanyahu sit down at White House as Gaza ceasefire deal looms: Live updates - President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met for dinner at the White House

President Donald Trump was “caught off guard” by Israel’s bombing of Syria, the White House said Monday, amid reports that the US president was increasingly concerned by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s aggressive military efforts.

Cease-fire negotiations between Israel, Hamas, and the U.S. have broken down, with President Trump’s special envoy blaming Hamas for the impasse. Meanwhile, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is rapidly escalating.