Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed the negotiating team in Doha to focus on the Witkoff plan, or at least on an extension of the first phase, which provides for the release of hostages in stages, with sick and injured people to be released first.
The Israeli delegation for the hostage release negotiations arrived in Doha on Monday evening for another round of talks with the mediators. The delegation is led by “M” from the Shin Bet, along with Gal Hirsch, the coordinator for prisoners and missing persons, Dr. Ofir Falk, Netanyahu’s political adviser, and representatives from Mossad, Shin Bet, and the Israeli army.
Immediately after breaking the fast – the iftar, the meal during the fasting month of Ramadan – the talks with the mediators began, and are expected to last about two days. The Israeli team was tasked with focusing on the Witkoff plan and bringing it back to the table after the failed talks between Trump’s envoy Adam Boehler and the Hamas leadership in Doha. There is a perception in Israel that Boehler’s talks with Khalil al-Hayya were not helpful and that there was also discontent within the White House.
Israel expressed its displeasure with this channel to the Americans. Finally, Boehler joined the line of US President Donald Trump and Israel that Hamas cannot remain in power in Gaza and that if the hostages are not released, no Hamas member is safe. Informed sources say that the US government also understood that Boehler’s approach had gotten out of control and now the US should throw all its weight behind the Witkoff plan.
US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff proposes a mediation plan since the two sides could not agree on Phase B. According to the plan, the ceasefire will be extended for 40 days (including Ramadan and Passover), with half of the living and dead hostages to be released on the first day and the rest on the last day. At the same time, Israel will resume the halted humanitarian aid.
Political sources in Israel explain that if an agreement on the Witkoff plan is not possible, Israel will try to extend Phase A or work out a bridging plan. This means a gradual continuation of Phase A with further hostage releases. This would require negotiations on modalities, numbers to be released, timelines and the like.
The mandate of the Israeli team is to focus efforts on reaching agreement on the Witkoff plan, or at least to start a process that would lead to the extension of Phase A to release more hostages in exchange for a continued temporary ceasefire. The Israeli position is to release injured or sick hostages first. In the past, it has also been discussed that Israel would ask for the release of hostages who are parents of children. The Witkoff plan calls for the release of ten live hostages on the first day, including Edan Alexander, who is a top priority for the US. Israel has been open to negotiating changes to the terms of the deal, as Hamas is clearly demanding more jailed terrorists be freed, especially those serving life sentences and long prison sentences.
Regarding the ceasefire, Israel stressed that while fighting has not yet resumed, it has halted all shipments of goods to Gaza. Not a single truckload, including fuel, is reaching Gaza. On Sunday, Israel decided to cut off electricity to Gaza, and other measures are planned, including cutting off water supplies to northern Gaza.
“Combined with pressure from Trump, Witkoff and the US, as well as Israel’s own means of pressure, we hope for a breakthrough,” a political source said.
A senior government official stressed that Israel is fully aligned with the US despite the events surrounding Adam Boehler. “Witkoff is leading the main effort and we are fully aligned with him,” he added.
Witkoff is expected in Doha on Tuesday and will urge the parties to reach an agreement. Witkoff is not currently scheduled to visit Israel, but could come as a surprise if he needs to convince Netanyahu of the details of the agreement.
Speaking to Fox News, Witkoff said: “We need clear timelines for Phase Two of the agreement. That has to happen. The conditions in which these hostages are being held are unacceptable. We have interviewed all of the hostages that have been released. The conditions are appalling… simply unacceptable.”
Asked about a complete withdrawal of the Israeli army from Gaza as a starting point for Phase B, Witkoff replied: “The starting point is that Hamas disarms, lays down its weapons and leaves Gaza. That is the starting point.”
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