Talks with the U.S. Administration
Yesterday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with U.S. President Joe Biden to discuss progress in the hostage negotiations. The two leaders addressed the delegation’s mandate to advance the deal in Doha. President Biden highlighted significant regional changes, including the Lebanon ceasefire agreement, the collapse of Assad’s regime in Syria, and the weakening of Iran’s influence, which provide a critical backdrop for advancing the deal. Biden emphasized the urgent need for a ceasefire in Gaza and the return of hostages, paired with increased humanitarian aid to Gaza post-conflict. Netanyahu expressed gratitude for Biden’s unwavering support for Israel’s security and national interests.
Broad Support for the Deal
Earlier, Netanyahu held discussions with National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich to garner broad political backing for the proposed hostage deal. The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of strong ties with the U.S. administration and the opportunity this agreement presents for advancing future plans in the West Bank. Netanyahu received indications that Smotrich and Ben Gvir are unlikely to dismantle the government should the deal be approved.
Trump’s Involvement
Speculation suggests that incoming U.S. President Donald Trump is eager to resolve the hostage situation before his inauguration on January 20. Senior officials from the Biden and Trump administrations are reportedly coordinating closely. “There is strong determination and significant interest from President-elect Trump and his team to finalize the agreement before January 20,” a senior Israeli official noted. However, Hamas has yet to provide the list of hostages Israel has requested for release in the deal’s first phase.
