The Israeli negotiating team reportedly extended their stay in Qatar’s capital, Doha. This was in town a day after the US envoy to Steve Witkov in the Middle East to town to find a way between Israel and Hamas.
The card deal reportedly is an extension of a ceasefire of up to 60 days in exchange for five to 10 Israeli prisoners of war held in Gaza.
Hamas has previously refused similar contracts, but they may feel more comfortable after in-person meetings with US hostage envoy Adam Bohler and Top Hamas officials in recent weeks. Bowler said the meeting was successful, prompting a backlash from Israeli and Israeli American politicians and suggesting there is a deal for a potential long-term ceasefire.
There have also been reports that bowlers have been removed from the file in Gaza, Israel, but those reports may be premature.
Let’s take a closer look.
What are the transactions currently under negotiation?
The deal between Israel and Hamas had already reached it. This involved three phases, which ultimately led to a permanent ceasefire. The first stage allowed a limited exchange of Israeli prisoners and Palestinian prisoners, a temporary ceasefire and Israel to increase humanitarian aid to Gaza. Details of the second phase have not yet been negotiated, but President Joe Biden’s previous US administration has made it clear that the first phase will continue until a second phase is agreed.
Israel has ignored it and has not resumed its all-out war with Gaza, but has threatened to do so, blocking all humanitarian aid and electricity entry.
At the beginning of March, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu introduced a new proposal that he said came from Witkov, but the US envoy never publicly acquired ownership. Netanyahu’s office said half of the Captives will be extended and the ceasefire will be extended for six weeks for Gaza prisoners, which was released on the first day of the extension.
Although it was initially rejected by Hamas, the current contract negotiated in Doha appears to be similar, critics say that Netanyahu does not want to end the war forever, as he fears that if he does, his government will collapse.
How about negotiations for bowlers?
The bowler’s authority has only been extended to five Israeli-American prisoners, of which four are believed to be dead, but the direct consultations seem to retain the possibility of ensuring a permanent ceasefire, as well as ensuring the release of all prisoners of war that Hamas holds.
Speaking to both Israeli and the US media last Sunday, the bowler showed that he had taken advantage of the opportunity to engage directly with Hamas and achieved a commitment to maintaining a five- to 10-year ceasefire, laying his arms and giving up control of the Gaza Strip.
Bowler revealed that he had not coordinated with Israel before holding talks with Hamas, adding in an interview that the US has its own “specific interest” as “not an Israeli agent.”
How did Israel respond to the news of the in-person meeting?
Not good.
Israeli far-right finance minister Bezalel Smotrich told Israeli Army Radio that an unspecified Israeli official had “discovered it to him.” [Boehler] He can’t speak for us and if he wants to negotiate on behalf of the United States, please give him good luck.
Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs and Netanyahu’s close relative, Ron Dahmer, was reported to have been repeatedly “ramped” in the bowler the night before news of the talks was released.
Singh Bett, former head of Israeli security services, and current Agriculture Minister Abi Dichter also criticized the US initiative, informing Israeli radio that the direct US Hama Talk had undermined Israeli negotiations. “It’s very dangerous to move without adjusting with the Israeli side,” Dichter said.
Israeli campaign against Bowler continued in the press, with Israeli editors pulling Bowler’s comments apart and branding the envoy “satisfied, confused, dangerously naive.”
Has Trump abandoned his bowler?
When News of the US Hama story emerged at the beginning of the month, White House spokesperson Caroline Leavitt said Trump supported them because it was “the right thing for Americans.”
However, following the baller’s comments to the press last Sunday, Israeli news reports emerged saying that hostage envoys were not representing the White House’s position and that Witkov would continue to lead the negotiations.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who appears to have seen Witkov take the most important portfolios in Ukraine and the Middle East, then said on Monday the meeting was a “one-off situation” in which the meeting was a failed one.
Thursday’s report alternated between claims that Bowler would not deal with Israel and Gaza anymore, and other reports that he said he would continue to support Witkov.
Reports from Jewish insiders include quotes from an anonymous Republican senator denounces Bowler, suggesting he has “lost all his trust.”
Is that important?
Until Trump himself speaks, it is difficult to measure what his true position on the issue is. It may be that he hasn’t decided yet.
But in any case, the fact that the senators don’t want to reveal their names might indicate that they are still heading their bets and avoid being considered a second Trump.
The talks with Hamas are indications that even if the US does not repeat them, the Trump administration is leading Gaza and dragging Israel and Netanyahu along with them.
Israel is entirely dependent on the United States for both military and diplomatic support. Furthermore, in light of unexpected shrugs from traditional American alliances such as the Canadian and European people, many people within Israel are concerned that Trump’s support for the war with Gaza is equally whimsical.
In response to the news of the in-person meeting, Israeli Daily Harletz speculated that the existence of US negotiations with Hamas was evidence of both Trump’s “frustration” with Netanyahu, and primarily revealed the purpose of the US administration itself. [and] The capital of Saudi Arabia.”
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