Secretary of state notes decision to engage directly with Hamas was "an opportunity to talk directly to someone who has control over" hostages. White House's chief negotiator for the Qatar-mediated talks will continue to be Steve Witkoff.
Energy Minister Eli Cohen has ordered the Israel Electric Corporation to cease electricity sale to the Gaza Strip. The directive is based on a license granted to the company in 1997 and takes immediate effect, following decisions made by the Israeli Diplomatic-Security Cabinet.
The terrorist organization has expressed willingness to release 21-year-old Edan Alexander, a lone IDF soldier from New Jersey.
The Israeli delegation set to negotiate in the second phase of the hostage deal is expected to depart for Qatar tommorow. An Israeli official noted that despite the challenges of Qatari mediation, the wealthy Gulf state continues to have the most significant leverage over Hamas.
Large military and police forces were deployed to the southern Dead Sea area following concerns over a possible terrorist infiltration into Israel. However, after about an hour, the IDF announced that the suspicion had been ruled out and that normal routine could resume.
Also on the agenda is a proposal to stop all flow of water and electricity to Gaza. A report from Saudi Arabia claimed that Israel agreed to a temporary ceasefire during Ramadan, but Israeli officials denied the claim.
Security sources reveal Israel has finalized arrangements to enable thousands of Gazans to leave daily through three routes.
"I am sending Israel everything it needs to finish the job, not a single Hamas member will be safe if you don't do as I say," Trump wrote in the social media message.
Reuters reported that Adam Boehler, President Donald Trump's Envoy for Hostages, met overnight with representatives of Hamas as well as officials from Egypt and Qatar. The discussions focused on the governance of Gaza following the war. An Israeli official responded, saying, "Israel is not aware of progress toward Phase 2."
Jerusalem is expressing dissatisfaction with the secret channel opened by the Trump administration with the terrorist organization Hamas in an effort to secure the release of hostages holding American citizenship. "This is a very problematic move, to say the least," a senior Israeli official said.
