Witkoff told mediators US not planning to force Israel to end Gaza war, officials say

Arab sources tell ToI Trump envoy currently working to coax Hamas to release smaller number of hostages than Israel has been demanding, hoping to meet parties halfway. Since hostage talks between Israel and Hamas resumed in Doha on Wednesday, US special envoy to the Mideast Steve Witkoff has told other mediators that Washington doesn’t plan to force Israel to end the war in Gaza amid Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s staunch refusal to do so, two Arab officials told The Times of Israel on Thursday.

Qatari and Egyptian mediators had hoped the US would move in this direction, given comments from President Donald Trump and other top aides about their desire to end the war following Hamas’s Monday release of American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander.

Netanyahu has insisted on only agreeing to a temporary ceasefire of roughly 45 days, which would begin with Hamas releasing about 10 hostages. During that time, he told Witkoff that Israel is prepared to hold talks on a permanent end to the war, without committing to such a result up front, the first Arab official said.   (Read More)