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U.S. Envoy Steve Witkoff Struggles to Expand Israeli Delegation’s Mandate Amid Escalating Gaza Violence

Despite repeated calls to Israeli PM Netanyahu, efforts to broaden the negotiating powers of the Israeli delegation in Doha remain unsuccessful, while Israel's military strikes continue in Gaza.

Watan-Hebrew media reported on Wednesday evening that U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, currently in Doha, has had repeated communications with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, attempting to push him toward expanding the negotiating powers of the Israeli delegation and showing more flexibility, but to no avail.

This comes amid an ongoing Israeli military escalation in the Gaza Strip, where the Israeli army launched a series of heavy airstrikes for the second consecutive day, targeting various areas, including the vicinity of the European Hospital in Khan Younis (southern Gaza), resulting in the martyrdom of 80 Palestinians, including women and children.

Haaretz newspaper reported, citing an unnamed Israeli source, that Witkoff spoke with Netanyahu several times in the past 24 hours, trying to convince him to expand the delegation’s mandate, but Netanyahu rejected this. The source added that Israel is sticking to the “Witkoff plan,” agreed upon about two and a half months ago, which requires Hamas to release ten living prisoners and half the number of deceased Israeli prisoners in exchange for entering into negotiations and a 45-day ceasefire.

U.S. Shifts Gaza Ceasefire Strategy as Last-Minute Talks Intensify in Doha
U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff

According to Yedioth Ahronoth, the Israeli delegation, led by the Deputy Director of Shin Bet, continues its talks in Doha alongside Witkoff and U.S. officials overseeing the issue of prisoners and missing persons, including Adam Boehler. The newspaper noted that Witkoff continues his efforts to persuade Netanyahu to expand the delegation’s mandate, in addition to considering additional proposals for releasing the detainees in phases to push the ceasefire process forward.

In the same context, Channel 12 reported that the Israeli delegation holds a limited mandate, only allowing discussions on the terms of the “Witkoff plan” without the authority to discuss broader arrangements or a permanent ceasefire.

For its part, Hamas has repeatedly confirmed its willingness to negotiate for the simultaneous release of Israeli prisoners in exchange for stopping the aggression, withdrawing Israeli forces, and releasing Palestinian prisoners.

The release of Israeli-American soldier Aidan Alexander by Hamas reignites debate in Israel over the value of dual citizenship,
Hamas prisoners

However, Netanyahu, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court, continues to propose new conditions that obstruct progress, including the disarmament of Hamas, which the movement rejects as long as the occupation continues.

Israeli opposition and families of prisoners accuse Netanyahu of sticking to the war option in Gaza to satisfy the hard-right wing in his government and achieve political and personal gains, most notably staying in power.

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