Walking the tightrope: Netanyahu's goals in Washington DC Israeli officials would like to reach a consensus with Trump on the talks and the question of the resumption of fighting.
On Monday in Washington, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with Steve Witkoff, US President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy, a meeting that was described as starting negotiations on the second phase of the Gaza hostage and ceasefire deal.
The negotiations are set for around the midpoint of the current first phase of the deal, during which 33 hostages will be released.
Contrary to the descriptor of the meeting, one of the main options on the table right now is an extension of phase one – meaning, 1. the continuation of the release of three to four Israeli hostages every week, 2. while Israel releases Palestinian security prisoners, some with blood on their hands, and holds up the ceasefire.
These talks and meetings come just as changes are being made to the mediation’s mechanism.
An Israeli official noted, “The hostage deal talks will be conducted in a completely different way than what we have seen until now.
We are returning to shuttle diplomacy, where Witkoff will be the main mediator. He will talk with the Israelis, Qataris, and Egyptians.”
But it is not just the mechanism that is changing; it is also the personnel in the Israeli team who will lead the negotiations that is changing.
