Trump phones Netanyahu ahead of ceasefire talks in Doha

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Axios
15 Aug 2024 12:49
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A source told Axios that Trump intended to urge Netanyahu to accept a ceasefire deal in the Gaza Strip.

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Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at his Mar-a-Lago estate, in Florida, the United States, on July 26, 2024. (AP)

Former President Donald Trump held a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday, where the two discussed the ceasefire deal with the Palestinian Resistance, two US sources informed on the matter told Axios.

The call comes as US-Egypt-Qatar-hosted talks restart in Doha, Qatar, on Thursday. Mediators will be meeting with the Israeli negotiating team "to close the remaining gaps between Israel and Hamas," the news website reported.

A source told Axios that Trump intended to encourage Netanyahu to accept the deal pushed for by the Biden administration, but the source also explained that he did not know if this is what actually took place during the call.

Trump's potential re-election has made it crucial for him to remain informed about such high-stakes decisions, while his relationship with Netanyahu has vastly improved. Last month, Netanyahu, during his address to the US Congress, made a point to publicly thank and reference the former US President multiple times.

With Biden stepping out of the presidential race, Trump's influence over the ceasefire deal becomes even more significant, especially given his administration's significant efforts to solidify the Israeli regime's control over territories in the Levant. As such, Netanyahu also met with Trump following high-level meetings with President Biden and Democratic candidate and Vice President Kamala Harris.

Netanyahu hampers ceasefire implementation

As for the ceasefire talks in Doha, the negotiations face major hurdles, spurred by Netanyahu's renewed demands.

Netanyahu has continued to add further conditions that have hampered mediated negotiations with the Palestinian Resistance for a ceasefire since late May this year. US and officials from other countries informed NBC News of the issue, confirming multiple statements issued by the Palestinian Resistance factions, including Hamas, which explained, on multiple occasions, that Netanyahu is doing his best to evade a ceasefire and prolong the war on Gaza.

Other than the additional clauses that change the entire structure of previously proposed deals, the Israeli regime also assassinated the top Palestinian negotiator and Hamas leader, martyr Ismail Haniyeh, in Tehran, Iran, plunging the entire area into a state of heightened tensions.

The ongoing talks in Doha will not see the participation of the Palestinian Resistance's negotiating team, as the Resistance demands that mediators facilitate the implementation of a deal agreed to on July 2, rather than engage in further rounds of futile discussions.