US officials met with Hamas to discuss post-war governance in Gaza and the second phase of a hostage deal, with mixed reports on the outcomes of these discussions. Trump called for Hamas to release hostages, emphasizing pressure on Israel. The Israeli side denies any progress, while Egypt expresses a more optimistic outlook regarding governance arrangements.
On a recent Wednesday evening, United States officials engaged in discussions with leaders from Hamas, alongside Egyptian and Qatari mediators. These talks focused on the governance of Gaza after the ongoing conflict and the potential advancements towards the second phase of a hostage agreement. Reports from two Egyptian officials to Reuters indicated that the discussions ended positively, raising optimistic speculation about future negotiations. However, an Israeli official disputed this claim, asserting, “We are not aware of any progress in talks on the second phase of the deal.”
Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem conveyed to the Qatari Al-Arabi channel that threats made by former President Trump are complicating ceasefire efforts. He emphasized that if Trump seeks the release of the hostages, he must press Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to initiate negotiations for the next phase of the agreement. Furthermore, Qassem warned that Israel might leverage Trump’s statements to intensify its blockade and exacerbate the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
Following a meeting with recently released hostages, Trump issued a strong demand for Hamas to promptly free all remaining captives. In a post on Truth Social, he stated, “‘Shalom Hamas’ means both Hello and Goodbye—you decide,” and urged Hamas to release hostages and return deceased individuals’ bodies.
While American and Egyptian officials deliberated on potential governance arrangements for Gaza, including possible leadership candidates, two Egyptian sources described the atmosphere of the discussions as positive. Nevertheless, the Israeli side remains skeptical, denying any substantial progress has been made in negotiations regarding hostage releases. An Israeli source explicitly remarked, “We do not recognize any progress in the talks on phase two.”
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar indicated on Tuesday that Israel is willing to advance with the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, contingent upon Hamas’s willingness to release more of the 59 hostages in its custody.
In summary, recent talks involving U.S. officials, Hamas leaders, and mediators from Egypt and Qatar regarding Gaza’s governance and hostages have concluded optimistically according to some sources, while Israeli officials express skepticism about any progress. There are heightened tensions following remarks from former President Trump, demanding the immediate release of hostages. The situation remains precarious as discussions about Gaza’s future leadership continue amidst conflicting narratives between involved parties.
Original Source: www.jewishpress.com
