Israeli Prime Minister Begins Week of High-Level Meetings Amid Tensions Over Hostage Release and Gaza Negotiations
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in Washington, D.C. last night (Sunday) for a week of important talks, as negotiations surrounding the hostage release deal enter a critical phase. The Prime Minister's flight to Washington on the "Wings of Zion" plane lasted 13 hours and 40 minutes. Netanyahu's visit comes as the fifth round of talks concluded on Saturday and discussions are set to move into phase two of the deal.
Today, Netanyahu will meet with Steve Witkoff, U.S. President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy, marking the opening of negotiations for phase two of the hostage release agreement. The Prime Minister is also scheduled to meet with President Trump on Tuesday evening (6:00 p.m. Washington time, 1:00 a.m. Israel time). This meeting, initially set for earlier in the day, was postponed at the request of the White House.
Sources close to Witkoff have indicated that the tragic images of the October 7 massacre have deeply affected him, particularly his involvement in the issue of the hostages, a matter he is committed to addressing with urgency.
Hostage Families Arrive in Washington
While several families of the kidnapped Israelis had requested to join Netanyahu on his flight to Washington, their request was denied. However, some family members, including Einav Tsengauker—mother of kidnapped Matan Tsengauker—arrived in Washington via commercial flights. Netanyahu is expected to meet with the families during his stay.
Netanyahu’s Schedule
On Wednesday, Netanyahu will visit the Pentagon to meet with Defense Secretary Pete Hesseth. Additionally, the Prime Minister is set to meet with influential members of Congress and the Senate, evangelical leaders, and Mike Huckabee, the newly designated U.S. Ambassador to Israel.
Tensions and Leverage in the Hostage Deal
The hostage release deal, which has progressed in phases, has encountered significant setbacks, particularly concerning the abduction of Arbel Yehud, who was not released in the first two phases as promised. Israel has now suspended the opening of the Netzarim corridor, which would have allowed Gazans to move northward, in response to the broken promises.
With 79 hostages still held in captivity, Israel faces difficult decisions regarding its leverage to continue the negotiations. 20 hostages are expected to be released during phase one of the deal. Among these 20, several are elderly or severely injured, and some, including the Bibas family and Avraham Mengistu, face dire health conditions. Tragically, eight of these 20 hostages are already confirmed dead.
Israeli officials have stated that humanitarian aid, which Israel controls into Gaza, remains one of the strongest levers it can use. Following Hamas' violation of the agreement, which included preventing the return of displaced persons, Israel has warned that future violations could trigger the suspension of aid shipments, as well as the closure of the Rafah crossing—a key point of leverage that Hamas is keen to keep open.
Future Phases and Potential Consequences
Israel is also using the release of terrorists as a significant pressure point in the deal. For every adult or wounded hostage Hamas releases, Israel is committed to releasing 30 adult prisoners or patients from Israeli jails, along with a thousand Gazans arrested after the October 7 massacre. As part of the agreement, 111 Gazan prisoners were released on Saturday, and the rest are to be freed in subsequent phases.
The deal also includes clauses related to rebuilding Gaza’s infrastructure, including electricity, water, sewage, and communications. Israel is also committed to facilitating the entry of humanitarian supplies, including tents and caravans for displaced persons, along with construction materials for rebuilding homes and civilian facilities. However, Israel has warned that any future violations of the agreement by Hamas could lead to a reversal of some of these provisions.
The outcome of Netanyahu’s meetings in Washington and the ongoing hostage negotiations will have significant implications for Israel’s security strategy and the humanitarian situation in Gaza. The Prime Minister's visit to the U.S. underscores the high stakes of the ongoing deal, as Israel attempts to secure the safe return of its citizens while navigating the complex geopolitical landscape of the Middle East.
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