By Bongiwe Dlamini

MBABANE: A senior United States official has reportedly warned that Washington could move forward with its deal with Saudi Arabia without Israeli involvement, unless Israel changes course, Aljazeera reported on Thursday quoting the Israeli media.

The Jerusalem Post reported that, the unnamed official met on Monday with families of captives still held in Gaza and during the meeting, the official said President Donald Trump is increasingly frustrated with Israel’s stance on the stalled ceasefire talks.

“Trump intends to press ahead with the Saudi deal regardless of Israel’s position, said the report on Wednesday.The US president is expected to visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates next week. Meanwhile, Israel’s ambassador to Washington is lobbying the White House to add a brief stop in Israel, two Israeli officials told Axios. According to The Jerusalem Post, the US official told attendees Israel could face “a much heavier price” if it continues to oppose a ceasefire deal,” Aljazeera reported.

It has been reported that, the official said, President Trump “is determined to move forward with a significant deal” with Saudi Arabia.

“President Trump is determined to move forward with a significant deal with Saudi Arabia, even without Israeli involvement,” the official reportedly said.