US accuses 'Israel' of sabotaging talks with Hamas: Israeli media
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As "Israel" continues to derail negotiations, the US administration opted not to inform the Israeli occupation government on its latest round of negotiations with Hamas.
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An Israeli and US flag are reflected on a conference table at the Pentagon, Tuesday, March 26, 2024, in Washington. (AP)
US officials have accused the Israeli occupation of attempting to derail negotiations between Washington and Hamas in Doha aimed at securing the release of Israeli-American captives, Israeli media reported.
According to Yedioth Ahronoth's intelligence affairs analyst Ronen Bergman, US sources claimed that the Israeli government was not informed in advance about the latest round of negotiations, as a consequence of its obstruction of last week's round of talks.
The report indicated that US officials accuse specific Israeli government representatives of not only opposing a separate negotiation track between Washington and Hamas—one that excludes "Israel" and is independent of a broader prisoner exchange deal—but also fearing potential advancements in future arrangements for Gaza without Tel Aviv serving as the key intermediary relaying information to the US administration.
Israeli officials have strongly opposed direct meetings between US representatives and Hamas leaders, the newspaper noted. However, the decision to pursue direct negotiations, according to sources, stems from concerns that broader prisoner exchange talks are currently stalled.
US delegates were reportedly briefed on the Israeli occupation’s plans for a large-scale military operation in Gaza, which could be launched at any moment. This assessment raised fears in Washington that renewed hostilities would pose an immediate and severe risk to the remaining captives, prompting the US to attempt the urgent release of American captives separately
In the dark
Israeli officials reportedly rejected efforts to prioritize negotiations based on the US citizenship of certain captives, citing social and political sensitivities that could provoke outrage among other families. As a result, Washington opted for a direct, urgent, and secretive approach to negotiations with Hamas.
According to The New York Times, "Israel" was not directly informed about the negotiations by the US government but rather discovered them through "other channels."
Yedioth Ahronoth stated that these tensions and leaks could deepen divisions between the US administration and the Israeli occupation’s government if an agreement is reached in Qatar.
An Israeli source cited in the report expressed concerns over the potential implications of such a deal. "The US is negotiating with Hamas for the release of captives, yet Israel will ultimately bear at least part of the cost. It is unclear whether Netanyahu's government would agree to free Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences as part of a secret deal prioritizing American passport holders over others," the source said.
Additionally, the report suggested that the US may seek to leverage this direct negotiation track to push for a broader agreement—one that "Israel" opposes and has been deliberately kept in the dark about.
US, Hamas officials held talks in Qatar multiple times: Israeli media
Yesterday, Israeli media outlet i24NEWS reported, citing informed sources, that the US administration engaged in discussions with Hamas in Qatar, with Donald Trump's key message being his expectation of concrete steps before advancing to the next phase of talks.
A source familiar with the meetings stated that "Israel was informed of the discussions but not provided with all the details." According to the report, Washington has pushed for the release of Israeli-American soldier Aidan Alexander, along with other captives.
However, US Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, canceled his planned visit to Qatar due to a lack of progress in negotiations. Meanwhile, US Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs, Adam Boehler, confirmed to i24NEWS on Wednesday that the administration had held direct talks with Hamas, aiming to secure the release of American captives and others.
The report noted that Boehler had met senior Hamas officials in Qatar multiple times, with discussions focused on a potential prisoner exchange. "The message to Hamas was clear: show goodwill so we can move forward," the source stated.
