Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will initiate the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire negotiations during his visit to Washington this week, according to reports from the Prime Minister's office. Scheduled to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, Netanyahu's discussions will revolve around Israel's positions on the ceasefire and the status of hostages held by Hamas.
Netanyahu is set to leave Israel on Sunday for Washington, where he will meet with Trump on Tuesday. This pivotal meeting will address not only the Gaza situation but also broader regional security issues, including normalization agreements between Israel and Saudi Arabia.
The ceasefire agreement reached between Israel and Hamas last month, which has been supported by both Egypt and Qatar, is structured to be executed in three phases, providing hope for reduced hostilities. Under this agreement, Hamas has already released 18 hostages. Yet, concerns remain high as more than 70 hostages are still unaccounted for.
During the upcoming meeting, Witkoff is expected to communicate directly with Egyptian and Qatari officials, who have played mediator roles over the past 15 months, aiming to solidify the terms of the ceasefire and explore future hostilities. The key agenda for Netanyahu and Witkoff will include plans for the evacuation of Gaza, which has become increasingly controversial among neighboring Arab nations.
A recent communication between Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi illustrated these tensions. Their dialogue was termed “positive,” yet it followed the public rejection by various Arab states of proposals emphasizing forced Palestinian relocations associated with the American strategy. Egypt, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates jointly issued statements denouncing efforts to displace Palestinians from Gaza.
While Israel supports extensive emigration from Gaza to eliminate Hamas’s influence, the discussion remains sensitive, as highlighted by Israeli Minister Ron Dermer's initial presentation of the concept to Trump. Observers note the difficulty of achieving consensus within the Arab world, where forced relocations are met with significant political pushback.
On the ground, Israeli officials have indicated they prefer Hamas to relinquish control of Gaza voluntarily, rather than face renewed military action. “The option of renewed military action remains viable,” stated one senior Israeli agent, emphasizing the importance of the hostages. Such military maneuvers, they believe, could be avoided if Hamas recognizes the necessity of transferring authority to facilitate ceasefire agreements and meet Israeli war objectives.
The discussions surrounding the future governance of Gaza are complex. Where Israeli officials have asserted they will not permit any shadow authority of Hamas, they also acknowledge the pressures arising from the recent hostilities could push Hamas toward reconsidering its control.
Netanyahu's Washington visit is believed not just to focus on immediate ceasefire concerns but also on broader geopolitical dynamics. The potential peace agreement with Saudi Arabia remains on the table, with both leaders expected to announce developments after their meetings. Further talks could bridge the gap between Israel and Saudi Arabia, reshaping relationships throughout the Middle East.
Netanyahu's endeavors reflect the intertwined nature of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict with greater regional stability. The current negotiations will significantly impact policies on both sides, paving the way—or complicatively obstructing—future peace efforts.