An individual closely involved in the ongoing hostage negotiations told The Times of Israel that Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu’s announcement earlier this evening about Israel accepting the “Witkoff proposal” — and Hamas rejecting it — does not accurately reflect the actual state of the discussions.
According to the source, mediators are still actively trying to get both sides to move closer to a mutual understanding. “This is not a matter of just waiting for Hamas to say ‘yes,’” the source explained, pushing back against the framing that only Hamas is holding up the process.
The current effort, the source elaborated, centers on constructing a temporary agreement that each side can interpret in a politically palatable way. Hamas would need to present the deal as a pathway to a broader end to hostilities, while Israel would need to preserve the stance that it has not made such a commitment.
Due to the deep mistrust between the parties, finding a formulation that satisfies both sides has proven extremely challenging, the source noted. Still, they remain optimistic that an agreement can eventually be reached.
Although the Prime Minister recalled Israel’s top negotiators from Doha to Yerushalayim, the source claimed their involvement was largely symbolic and that they were not heavily engaged in the core of the talks.
U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, whose name is attached to the proposal, is also not physically present in Doha. However, he remains in close and ongoing communication with Netanyahu and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, the source said.
Meanwhile, Palestinian-American activist Bishara Bahbah has continued to serve as an unofficial conduit between Washington and senior Hamas officials in Doha, where he arrived the day before, according to the source.
{Matzav.com Israel}