JERUSALEM (VINnews) —The interview on Friday night by U.S. President Trump’s envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, with Tucker Carlson, considered the “Republicans house reporter” but also known for his outspoken antisemitic opinions, surprised and upset many officials in Jerusalem. It mainly revealed the gaps between Israel and the U.S. and the fact that, contrary to statements occasionally made by various sources, the Americans do not see the continuation of the negotiations for a deal eye to eye with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu.
Join our WhatsApp groupSubscribe to our Daily Roundup Email
Israeli sources involved in the hostage deal negotiations stated Saturday night that Israel will no longer agree to negotiations that are not under fire — as Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz already clarified with the resumption of fighting in Gaza. “The only way to achieve a ceasefire is solely through the release of hostages. Military pressure is a process we had to resort to because Hamas stopped engaging in effective negotiations. Currently, we are waiting for the military pressure to mature into effective pressure, and it will intensify. If there’s no hostage release, the fighting will escalate,” they said.
According to them, “If anyone thinks Adam Boehler’s ideas will return — forget about it. We won’t carry out any deal that could endanger the chance of bringing more hostages back. So far, no Egyptian mediation proposal has been received. We know the Egyptians are very active and trying to push negotiations and bring Hamas back to effective talks.”
Senior Israeli officials also claimed that “resuming the fighting motivates the Egyptians to be more proactive, but so far, this hasn’t led to Hamas showing flexibility.” In general, the assessment among senior Israeli figures is that despite the military pressure, Hamas will not give up its demand for an end to the war and will not agree to Witkoff’s original plan, which spoke of releasing hostages in two phases — 11 living hostages and 16 bodies on the first day, a 40-day ceasefire, and the release of the remaining hostages on the last day.
Following the “failure” of Witkoff’s plan, mediators are promoting a behind-the-scenes release of five hostages — but Hamas currently opposes that as well. “The work channels with the mediators are active, and we hope they succeed in bringing Hamas into effective negotiations for the hostages’ release. Then Israel will be ready to discuss a ceasefire and the start of renewed aid to Gaza,” said Israeli sources familiar with the details.
Witkoff’s comments about Iran, where he mentioned, among other things, that “the president wants a diplomatic solution first,” worried Israeli officials. The Americans are determined to reach an agreement with Tehran, and Witkoff emphasized that he is not threatening Iran and that sanctions against it could be lifted if it agrees to a deal preventing it from obtaining nuclear weapons. Witkoff also highlighted that Trump is the first senior American official to reach out to the Iranians in 22 years.
Witkoff did praise Netanyahu in the lengthy interview for his military achievements against Iran, Hezbollah, and Hamas, reiterating that Netanyahu acts with the right and good intentions — but he also acknowledged that most Israelis want the hostages released and the prime minister is going against public opinion. “I understand those who criticize him for this, even if I don’t always agree,” Witkoff explained.
He also criticized Israel for lacking a clear vision for the day after — even after nearly a year and a half of fighting. “I talk to regional leaders, and they ask me: ‘What is Israel’s goal? What’s the long-term plan?’ There’s no map, no horizon. And that creates instability,” he argued.
Witkoff also shared that meetings with the hostages’ families in Tel Aviv’s square broke his heart. “This is a national trauma. It cuts through Israel’s soul. The government must understand that alongside military pressure, effective negotiations are needed. And you can’t negotiate without knowing where you want to go,” he said.
Witkoff warned that resetting Gaza to square one could lead to another round of fighting within a few years: “You can’t keep repeating the same cycle of war-rebuild-war. This has been happening for decades. Trump is asking us to think differently — to propose a stable solution.”
Instead of limited reconstruction plans based on humanitarian aid, Witkoff proposed a comprehensive economic-strategic vision for Gaza’s future. However, in a way that contradicts the transfer plans previously mentioned in Israel, Witkoff said a combined initiative is needed, including investments in infrastructure, housing, employment, education, and advanced industries like data, artificial intelligence, and pharmaceuticals: “The people of Gaza need hope. You can’t build a state on a welfare safety net. A horizon must be created.”
At this stage, the American envoy cautiously avoided using the term “two states,” but he did say that “a space must be found where Palestinians have the chance for a better life. It’s not just about homes — it’s about a future, about a dream. Just like our children have, they should have too.” Regarding Hamas, he said: “You can’t leave an armed terrorist organization in Gaza. Israel will never accept that. But if they disarm — maybe there will be room for some political involvement. Gaza can’t be managed with Hamas ruling through threats.”
It’s essentially a step back from the American position that Hamas has no place in Gaza’s future. What angered many in Israel were Witkoff’s praises for Qatar, which he presented as a fair mediator rather than a state that supports terrorism and transferred suitcases of dollars to Hamas while its Al Jazeera network incites repeatedly against Israelis and Jews. Even Now Qatar glorifies the memories of Hamas ‘martyrs’, produces sitcoms mocking Israel’s Oct. 7th failure and its state-run media called Israel’s ceasefire with Hamas a “crushing historic victory” for Hamas and “significant defeat” for Israel.
Despite this, Witkoff described close ties with Qatar’s Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, calling him “an honest man who understands Israel’s positions and the importance of resolving the conflict. He speaks to Hamas on our behalf, and without this trust, there’s no progress.”
Witkoff emphasized that he is in regular contact with Netanyahu and his close ally, Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer. “We have a dialogue. Sometimes we agree, sometimes less. But I know they act from deep strategic belief. Israel must present a roadmap for Gaza. Otherwise, regional consensus for a ceasefire won’t form.” He stated that only if there’s certainty that Hamas won’t return to control Gaza and a reliable security mechanism is established on the ground, peace can be achieved.
Finally, his words suggested that the U.S. supports Israel’s continued fighting — but not indefinitely — and that American pressure to stop the fire may eventually come. He expressed hope for halting the Israeli strikes and returning to a ceasefire.
Israel will be respected,when Israel RESPECTS ITSELF.
As long as Israel bows DOWN to terrorists ( like : Not only prohibiting to kill the Assaulting Terrorist : Rather Punishing IDF soldier)
as well as being so SYMPATHETIC to Yishmaeilim :
This is exactly: what you GET !
The people of gaza will make their own future by immigrating to other Muslim Countries who will absorb their brethren!
Gaza will become all Jewish restoring gaza to its rightful owners, as should be.
Gaza is an integral part of Israel, part of the Land given yo the Jewish People.
Israel is a lot bigger than what we know as now.
Israel is desc6as a wide land
Now Israel is very skinny
Much more land belongs to the Jews
Witkoff has a conflict of interest with Qatar and he never should have been appointed as a hostage negotiator. Secondly, Hamas does not want a “better future” for their residents instead they want total and complete annihilation of Jews and Israel. My heart cries for the hostage families whose loved ones are still there but unfortunately Witkoff is allowing Hamas the upper hand and if he catapults into their demands then I can assure Mr. Witkoff that this mess that Hamas created will happen over and over and over again.
Unfortunately he is right that Israel has no plan. But he misses the point that not always is there a solution. What can you do with a cult of 2m people bent on killing you? What would be the plan ? Attack and rebuild won’t help with a cult. Offer them even better lives as he suggests will also strengthen the cult
Not Israel’s responsibility. Do they expect Ukraine to have a plan for post War Russia? Ridiculous.
With all due respect to Steve Witkoff but he is not a carrer diplomat or someone that has a lot of knowledge as it relates to Israel and the Middle East. Till a few months ago he was a regular real estate developer but as a close friend of Pres. Trump and obviously a smart guy, Trump tapped him to be his envoy and negotiate on behalf of the Trump administration, and therefore he has clout but thats it. But for him to start lecturing Israel even if subtle at times, and dor him to tell Israel how they ought to make decisions, I think is a little over the top especially where at times it seems his opinions differ from the official US position. Think about it… he is telling Prime Minister Netanyahu who is a politician almost his whole life and knows
what’s best for Israel’s security and wellbeing more than anyone in the US has to get lectured in private and in the media from a businessman!
There is no long-term plan for Gaza because there is no partner on the other side, Hamas are a group of savage butchers, as are a majority of the Palestinians that currently live there. The only thing they want is that the landmass between the Jordan and the Mediterranean be “yudenrein “. at that point the will force their savage brand of Islam on their people and slaughter anybody that stands in their way. If you remove every Jew, and every Christian from that area, they will still slaughter each other. You want peace? Come to the table with a sincere will to live peacefully alongside the Jews. Bring somebody who is prepared to do that, and that does not include Hamas or Mahmoud Abbas or any of the Iranian proxies, etc. etc. Negotiate with Hamas , and you will have more of the same
The Gazans chose their long term plan 20 years ago. They are now living with the results of that plan.
There is one simple solution: They Must Go.
This, of course, is the ONLY solution.
It was considered too radical when proposed by the great Rabbi Meir Kahane, H’YD. Perhaps now that the basis for his vision has actually materialized, namely the horrific and preventable acts of 10/7, including the years of infrastructure built in Gaza in its anticipation, Israel’s leadership and citizens will wake up to the reality that the only solution is to remove the entire cancer. And just as with human cancer, this involves deleting all of the affected cells, even benign, in order to cleanse the blood entirely of the infection.
Seems like an other מה יפית Jew….
The long term solution is for the palis to return to their homeland “the transjordan” from where late king Huesein threw them out. beacuse he knew they were a destructive people, lazy, worthless trouble makers. And, his son king abdullah doesnt want them either. With so many arab, muslim countries & not one has offered to take them in. That alone should tell the world something. These low life worthless sub humans contribute nothing to society,
Israel left Gaza20 years ago and the Gazans decided it’s more important to them to kill Jews by brainwashing their children to be martyrs, than to raise them to work, build and enjoy Gaza in peace. They made their bed, and now they can sleep in the dust.
Islam works all sides eg England right & left parties. Witkoff was slid into position by Qatar who bailed him out of a bad property deal for $625 million. Kushner was also bailed by Qatar. Now Don Jr is in a VC – 1789 Capital – funded by Iranian Omeed Malik. Guess who the other member is … Tucker Carlson. The West is s lost cause.
Bibi only has 1 plan to preserve himself and a war of 18 months accomplished nothing