Following intense consultations led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel decided yesterday evening to send a negotiation delegation to Doha on Monday to discuss the Witkoff Plan. The delegation is led by the head of the Shin Bet domestic intelligence service and includes, among others, Gal Hirsch, Ofir Falak, as well as members of the Mossad and Shin Bet. The White House special envoy, Steve Witkoff, will join the delegation in Doha on Tuesday.
Israeli sources who have spoken with Trump’s advisors in recent days got the impression that the US administration is convinced that the direct communication channel with Hamas could achieve positive results for the hostages in the Gaza Strip and that they are determined to fully exploit this channel. The same sources believe that Hamas’s announcement that there are positive signs for progress in negotiations on the second phase is correct and that progress is indeed being made. This contrasts with statements from political circles in Israel that this channel has not produced results and that in Israel “no progress in talks about Phase B” is known.
A high-ranking US official admitted that “the Israeli government does not like that we are speaking directly with Hamas,” but Israel cannot claim to have known nothing about it. The talks between the Americans and Hamas have been ongoing since last month and have now been going on for over three weeks. Israel felt slighted because US President Donald Trump spoke about Hamas without involving them – and fears above all losing control over the events.
Israeli sources who have spoken with senior White House representatives got the impression that resolving the hostage crisis is a milestone for Trump on the way to expanding the Abraham Accords and that they will not allow Netanyahu to thwart their plans. “This administration wants to steamroll everything and achieve what it has set out to do. As soon as they realize that Bibi is an obstacle, they will go against him. Trump plans to travel to Saudi Arabia within a month and a half – and he will not travel as long as the hostage issue is not resolved. In the White House, there is a mentality that Trump simply cannot lose, and he will not allow anyone to put him in such a situation.”
Witkoff explicitly asked Israel not to resume fighting as long as the negotiations are ongoing, putting Jerusalem in a difficult position. Israel had declared that there would be no ceasefire without the release of hostages – and now a week has already passed since the end of the ceasefire without any hostages being released.
The Americans are negotiating with Hamas over a diluted version of the Witkoff Plan: not the release of all hostages in two phases, but initially a smaller number to extend the ceasefire until the end of Ramadan and Passover. One of the reports speaks of the release of ten hostages in exchange for a 60-day ceasefire. The Americans want to ensure that American hostages are released – Idan Alexander has top priority, but also Americans who are considered dead. However, an Israeli official said that the American hostages are not viewed in isolation but are part of the overall deal that the Americans are pushing.
Although Israel is coordinating with the Americans and receiving updates, there is concern that this channel is operating behind Israel’s back. Israel does not like this – mainly out of fear of being presented with a fait accompli.
Israel is preparing for the resumption of fighting, but it is clear that this would be against the will of the Americans as long as their talks with Hamas continue. A political representative said: “Witkoff will only come to the region when there are final details to clarify. Currently, no progress is known. There were Egyptian reports of progress in Phase B, but there is no progress. Regarding the Americans’ direct talks with Hamas – they want to release their citizens. That is a bonus without a deal – they should release them. We are very satisfied with the pressure and threats from Trump and hope that this achieves more than our pressure through preventing humanitarian aid. As long as Hamas refuses, we will continue to impose sanctions and other punitive measures on Hamas.”
Regarding the resumption of fighting, the political representative said: “First, we want to exhaust every possibility to bring back as many hostages as possible before fighting resumes – because when fighting starts, everything gets out of control, and no one knows what will happen. It will happen in a different way than before, and that’s why we are making every effort to bring back as many hostages as possible before that happens. That’s why we are giving the mediators and the Americans the chance to get Hamas to come down from their position and reach some kind of compromise or agreement – perhaps agreement to Witkoff’s mediation plan. Anything that enables the return of the hostages. What is certain is that we will not continue a ceasefire without the return of our hostages.”
Sources with knowledge of the matter say that the hostage survivors were able to create a very strong emotional connection with Trump. People who spoke with White House representatives got the impression that Trump intends to provide maximum resources for this issue.
Regarding the talks that the Americans are conducting with the Hamas leadership, it turns out that Adam Boehler, Trump’s envoy for hostage affairs, has already been speaking with the Hamas leadership for three weeks. The crucial test will be whether there will be a second phase of the deal – or at least a gesture from Hamas regarding Idan Alexander and the return of four deceased American hostages. So far, this is unclear.
Sources with knowledge of the matter say: “There is a dynamic here that Netanyahu does not know and does not control. There is no scenario in which America gets its citizens out without also getting other hostages out. Israel tried to claim that there is no second phase and that they are not ready to enter negotiations with Hamas, but now there is a US administration that says: We will speak directly with Hamas, and will try to advance the negotiations.”
Sources with connections to the government say: “This administration does not work in a conventional way. They work very creatively and break all the rules. They are not bound by traditional considerations. It requires a flexible mindset for those leading the negotiations – and they have that flexibility. Witkoff’s team is very strong and active. Many things are happening beneath the surface.”
Sources familiar with the topic say that Witkoff will only come to the region when he sees that both sides are showing serious willingness to negotiate.
The greatest mistake is to put trust in man. God hates that!
The battle is God’s.
“Total Victory” is only possible with God’s intervention.
King David in Psalm 108 prays for God’s help: 13 Give us help against the adversary, for man’s salvation is futile. 14 With God we shall gather strength and He will trample our adversaries.
People fail to believe that Israel is engaged in a war of spirits: good and evil. A war of spirits cannot be won by physical superiority.
It has always taken the power of God in the heavens to bring “total victory” and deliverance.
The Bible is filled with the EXACT same historical stories pertaining to the enemies of Israel. The history recorded serves as an example of God’s wisdom, security, and continued covenant for Israel’s existence. Israel has to be willing to trust only in God – because there is NO other way when it is surrounded by evil enemies.
The apostle Paul so accurately wrote what we face here on earth: Ephesians 6 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
The answer is found in God’s requirements that King David noted in Psalms many times: a man who FEARS the Lord and keeps His commandments.
Fear God, and keep His commandments this is the whole duty of mankind. And then, the people will be mighty in the land, a generation of upright ones, which shall be blessed.
God will pour out a blessing that Israel cannot contain, when the people fear Him enough to do what He commands.
It’s up to us to choose the good of God’s spiritual blessings, when we humble ourselves to serve Him in duty and honor – Because He is God Almighty, forever without end!