| Netanyahu Halts Qatar Talks, Shifts Focus to U.S. Negotiations
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has canceled a key discussion with senior officials of the negotiating team, including Mossad head Dedi Barnea, Shin Bet head Ronen Bar, and Maj. Gen. Nitzan Alon, regarding the second phase of talks with Hamas. Instead, Netanyahu sent his military secretary, Maj. Gen. Roman Goffman, to inform officials that the team would not be sent to Qatar at this stage, according to a senior Israeli official.
Key Points:
Second Phase Negotiations on Hold: The canceled meeting was meant to finalize a plan for beginning non-political negotiations aimed at building momentum with Hamas.
Shift to U.S.-Focused Strategy: Netanyahu informed officials that the next phase of negotiations would be led by Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and involve American envoy Steve Witkoff. Netanyahu cited the political and strategic nature of the talks related to Gaza’s reconstruction as the reason for the shift.
Warnings from Security Chiefs: Mossad’s Barnea and Shin Bet’s Ronen Bar expressed concerns that sidelining the Qatar talks and shifting leadership could negatively affect progress, emphasizing that negotiations must primarily go through Qatar and Egypt—not the U.S.
Impact on Phase A: Officials fear that delays or changes in leadership could harm the ongoing implementation of Phase A of the ceasefire and hostage deal, which remains sensitive.
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