US envoy growing impatient with 'Israel' over Gaza talks: Official
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An “uneasy” meeting between Ron Dermer and Steve Witkoff highlights growing frustration over Tel Aviv’s approach to captive talks.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gestures while speaking before a joint meeting of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, March 3, 2015 (AP)
A recent meeting in Washington between Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and US special envoy Steve Witkoff was described as “uneasy", an Israeli official told The Times of Israel, reflecting growing tensions between the two governments over the stalled captive negotiations in Gaza, according to Israeli media.
An Israeli official familiar with the discussions said Witkoff has become increasingly frustrated with Tel Aviv, particularly over what was described as ongoing “drama” surrounding the handling of the captives issue.
The tension was reportedly exacerbated by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s public video statement on Monday, in which he declared that he hoped to announce developments regarding the captives “today or tomorrow.” The vague nature of the statement, coupled with a lack of coordination, has contributed to mounting pressure within diplomatic channels.
While the content of the Dermer-Witkoff meeting remains confidential, sources indicated that Washington is growing impatient with delays in Tel Aviv’s decision-making, especially as the humanitarian situation in Gaza worsens and international pressure for a ceasefire grows louder.
Lapid urged immediate acceptance of of ceasefire
In a related development, Israeli Opposition Leader Yair Lapid urged the government to “publicly and immediately” accept the latest US-backed ceasefire.
Reaffirming his prior stance at the “Democratic Israel Will Win” conference organized by the Berl Katznelson Foundation, Lapid pledged to provide Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with a “full safety net” in the Knesset to ensure the deal passes, even if far-right members of the coalition oppose it.
Heated phone call too
This comes shortly after a heated phone call reportedly took place last Thursday between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump over how to confront Iran, Israeli media reported.
In detail, Israeli Channel 12 indicated that the discussion was characterized by intense disagreements, with Trump allegedly expressing to Netanyahu his desire for a diplomatic resolution with Iran by stating that he wanted a negotiated solution and that he had confidence in his capacity to secure a favorable deal. He also reportedly stressed he was focused on reaching an agreement that would benefit both parties.
The tone of the conversation seems at odds with previous assertions that the call between the two leaders ended in mutual agreement, the report revealed.
US ceasefire push in Gaza deepens rift with Israeli leadership
A ceasefire proposal for Gaza, introduced by Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff, has drawn fierce criticism from Israeli military analysts and journalists, who claim the plan undermines Tel Aviv’s military objectives and emboldens the Palestinian Resistance.
According to Channel 14, military analyst Noam Amir described the Trump envoy’s Gaza ceasefire proposal as “very bad", warning that it would roll back recent battlefield gains, including control over the Morag axis. He further cautioned that the plan effectively hands "a lifeline for Hamas," allegedly enabling unmonitored humanitarian aid deliveries and facilitating extensive captive exchanges that could strengthen the group's position.
“We haven’t even discussed yet the dangerous prisoners who will be released,” Amir added, pointing to the high cost of the deal.
“A 60-day halt to the war signals the beginning of the end. Once a real ceasefire begins, can we return to fighting with the same intensity?” he stressed.
Concerns mount over Hamas prisoner exchange deal
Amir revealed further details via Telegram, stating that under the proposal, "Israel" would release 125 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences, 1,111 detainees from Gaza, and the bodies of 180 others.
The proposed Hamas prisoner exchange deal has sparked outrage among IOF soldiers deployed in Gaza. Amir said he received “dozens of angry messages” from troops frustrated by the idea of halting operations.
“Why did they send us in here last month?” one message read.
“You must scream as loud as you can to make our voices heard, this war must not stop. Does everything we achieved in Rafah mean nothing?” another message said.
Witkoff’s Truce plan seen as strategic setback
Journalist Amichai Stein of i24news noted that Witkoff is attempting to present a “balanced proposal", including the release of 10 captives upfront, with the option of resuming hostilities if further negotiations collapse.
However, Stein warned that the Steve Witkoff ceasefire plan could “restrict Israel and push it to backtrack from its tough stance,” especially now that sustained humanitarian pressure has weakened Hamas internally.
Although Tel Aviv has not issued an official position on the deal, Yedioth Ahronoth reported that the small security cabinet, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was scheduled to meet Thursday evening to discuss it.
If accepted, talks will move to Doha for negotiations of bringing the viewpoints closer to each other with intermediaries. On Wednesday, Witkoff expressed optimism, stating, “I expect a draft document to be submitted to the President for review by the end of the day,” while emphasizing the need for “a temporary ceasefire followed by a long-term resolution to this war.”
Sources cited by Yedioth Ahronoth claim the plan aligns with Witkoff’s earlier blueprint, indicating that Tel Aviv may be considering the proposal seriously.
Hamas approves Witkoff's Gaza ceasefire proposal
Meanwhile, the Palestinian Resistance movement Hamas announced on Tuesday its approval of a new ceasefire proposal presented by US envoy Steven Witkoff, marking a potential breakthrough in efforts to halt the ongoing Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip.
In an official statement, Hamas said the proposal outlines a general framework that includes a permanent ceasefire, a full withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces from the Gaza Strip, the immediate entry of humanitarian aid, and the formation of a professional committee to administer the enclave’s civil affairs upon the formal announcement of the agreement.
The statement further noted that the deal entails the release of ten Israeli captives, along with the return of several bodies, in exchange for an agreed-upon number of Palestinian detainees, under the supervision of international mediators.
Senior Hamas official Basem Naim announced on Monday that the movement has agreed to a new proposal put forward by US envoy Steve Witkoff. According to Naim, the essence of the initiative is “to reach a cessation of war, ensure the withdrawal of hostile forces, and lay the groundwork for a permanent ceasefire.”
Naim confirmed the acceptance through a Facebook post, stating, “We await the Zionist occupation’s response.”
The announcement follows exclusive reporting by Al Mayadeen on Sunday, which revealed that both Hamas and the Israeli occupation had been reviewing a proposal drafted by Palestinian-American mediator Bishara Bahbah, in coordination and with the approval of US envoy Steve Witkoff.
According to a senior Palestinian official familiar with the matter, the document outlines several key components: an initial ceasefire period of 60 days in exchange for the release of 10 Israeli captives in two batches. Hamas, however, proposed a 90-day truce in return for the release of 10 captives, five alive and five deceased. The American side ultimately endorsed a 70-day duration. Both versions include mechanisms to facilitate humanitarian access and reduce assaults.
The document also emphasizes that the ceasefire period would be comprehensive and fully guaranteed by US President Donald Trump, reflecting a serious effort to halt the hostilities.
