Netanyahu sends delegation to Doha for talks on remaining captives
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Netanyahu confirmed the dispatch of an Israeli negotiation delegation to Doha on Tuesday, tasked with pursuing talks based on US envoy Steve Witkoff's initiative.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the annual ceremony at the eve of Israel's Remembrance Day for fallen soldiers at the Yad LaBanim Memorial in occupied al-Quds, on Tuesday, April 29, 2025. (Abir Sultan/Pool Photo via AP)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Monday that he had spoken with US President Donald Trump, expressing gratitude for his involvement in securing the release of Israeli-American captive Edan Alexander.
Netanyahu's office stated that he "thanked President Trump for his assistance in the release of (Israeli military) soldier Edan Alexander." The statement further noted that Trump reaffirmed his commitment to "Israel" and expressed his desire to maintain close cooperation with Netanyahu.
The announcement followed a meeting in occupied al-Quds between Netanyahu, US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, and US Ambassador Mike Huckabee. Discussions focused on implementing Witkoff's proposed framework for the release of captives held by Hamas in Gaza.
Netanyahu noted that "Israel" will continue its military operations in Gaza, even as negotiations proceed. "Negotiations will take place only under fire," his office declared, signaling that military pressure remains central to "Israel's" strategy. To advance these efforts, Netanyahu confirmed the dispatch of an Israeli negotiation delegation to Doha on Tuesday, tasked with pursuing talks based on Witkoff's initiative.
Meanwhile, Israeli Army Radio reported that preparations are underway for Alexander's release, stating: "The army is preparing to receive captive Edan Alexander starting from 6:30 pm in the Khan Younis area."
The release of Alexander comes after Hamas leader and chief negotiator Khalil al-Hayya announced that the movement had engaged in talks with the US administration and described the American response as "highly positive."
Read more: Hamas to free Edan Alexander as part of Gaza deal: Al-Hayya
Growing US-'Israel' Tensions
Netanyahu's statements come amid broader friction between Tel Aviv and Washington over key regional policies. Although Trump has maintained rhetorical support for "Israel's" military actions in Gaza, his administration has surprised Israeli officials by initiating talks with Iran and brokering a ceasefire with Yemen's Ansar Allah movement, moves viewed in Tel Aviv as diverging from previous US-"Israel" coordination.
Last week, Trump rejected Netanyahu's push for a joint military strike on Iran's nuclear facilities, preferring diplomatic channels instead. This prompted Netanyahu to observe that "a bad deal is worse than no deal."
Read more: Talks with US show signs of progress, next round in a week: Iranian FM
In a related sign of discord, Trump's agreement with Ansar Allah to halt US airstrikes, in exchange for ending attacks on American ships in the Red Sea, was reportedly not coordinated with Israeli leadership, sparking concern after a Yemeni missile struck Tel Aviv's main airport.
Netanyahu's firm stance, "Israel will defend itself by itself," reflects these growing tensions. US Ambassador Mike Huckabee reinforced Washington's independent position, stating bluntly, "The United States isn't required to get permission from Israel."
Despite these divergences, both sides continue to engage in diplomacy over regional security.
