The negotiation team will arrive in Qatar on Tuesday to discuss the Witkoff framework for releasing hostages held by Hamas, following the release of IDF soldier with American citizenship Edan Alexander on Monday. According to a source familiar with the details, Israel is expected to participate in the Qatar talks throughout President Donald Trump's visit to the region, lasting three days.
Despite reports of American coercion, Israeli officials say there is a desire to exhaust attempts to return the hostages before beginning the operation in Gaza. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu managed to secure the support of Religious Zionism chairman Bezalel Smotrich to pursue these contacts, with agreements to resume fire afterward.
The release of the American hostage effectively launched President Donald Trump's Middle East visit today. Trump has a busy schedule among Gulf states until Friday, aiming to advance deals benefiting the American economy, with Israel and the war issue being relatively minor compared to US interests regarding Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
Nevertheless, Trump appears to be weaving diplomatic successes throughout his trip, starting with the release of Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander, through restarting negotiations, his announcement on Monday, saying that he would consider lifting sanctions on Syria to allow it a "fresh start," and the possibility of adding another stop to his brief visit – Turkey. There, he seeks to mediate a ceasefire conversation between Putin and Zelenskyy.
Parallel to Trump's regional meetings, the Israeli negotiation team will try to pressure Hamas toward the Witkoff framework – half of the living hostages first, followed by discussions on ending the war. Israeli officials clarify that even after Netanyahu's talks with Witkoff and Trump yesterday, Israel's position remains unchanged – this is Hamas' last opportunity for a deal before the "Gideon's Chariots" operation begins.
In this sense, the US served as the party, bringing the sides back to the negotiation rooms for a final opportunity, but Israel insisted on dictating the agreement terms.
Nevertheless, those speaking with Netanyahu gather that one main concern remains regarding Trump, not about the Gaza war but about talks with Iran. Trump also distributed compliments to Iranians yesterday for their negotiation conduct, and senior diplomatic officials worry about Trump's inconsistency regarding red lines the US will ultimately set for the ayatollahs' regime within an agreement framework. This issue was central in Netanyahu's conversation with Witkoff, although its content was "omitted" from the Prime Minister's Office press release afterward.
Netanyahu would prefer closer cooperation on this critical issue, but fears surprises like the Houthi agreement. "This is the only real strategic issue on the table," a diplomatic source told Israel Hayom. Meanwhile, on the public level, senior officials in Israel's political system say Netanyahu's update yesterday paves the way for delaying military action in Gaza to allow negotiations with Hamas.
The leeway granted to him for talks by both Smotrich and Ben Gvir is not expected to resemble recent months, with a prepared and planned military operation in the background and tens of thousands of reserve soldiers waiting for execution. Government officials believe that despite the American president's surprise element, he still backs Israel practically, continuing weapons shipments and supporting the Gaza war in UN institutions.
Alongside this backing, Israel is preparing to begin aid flow into Gaza but claims this isn't in exchange for Edan Alexander's release, but due to recent assessments that Gaza's situation will soon require it. This assessment, led by Netanyahu, occurs frequently and will determine when to begin the new aid entry framework into Gaza, separate from military action commencement. Israel also confirmed measured diesel entry into Gaza for hospital operations, with this issue accompanied by security assessments regarding Hamas's ability to seize the reserves.
In conclusion, senior Israeli officials state – the coming days will be fateful. Trump's visit will be measured by American regional deals, but for Israel, it will be the turning point for Gaza campaign's future – a hostage deal and ceasefire to plan the campaign's end with Hamas accepting Israeli conditions, or alternatively, beginning military maneuvering in Gaza after Trump leaves the region.
"We are in critical days where Hamas is presented with a deal that will allow our hostages' release. Negotiations will continue under fire while preparing to intensify fighting," Netanyahu clarified.
