Doubts are intensifying within Israel about whether Hamas will resume negotiations or show any willingness to compromise, an Israeli source told The Jerusalem Post on Thursday.
According to a government official, the prevailing sentiment among Israeli leadership is that the diplomatic track is on the verge of falling apart. “It now seems that an expanded military operation in Gaza is inevitable.”
“Hamas has cut off contact. There are no real negotiations with them,” another Israeli source reported.
A separate source with insight into the mediation efforts revealed to the Post that Hamas has distanced itself not only from Israel but also from Qatar and Egypt, the key regional intermediaries. “At the moment, they are primarily engaged in talks with Turkey,” the source said.
On Thursday, Prime Minister Netanyahu held a lengthy meeting with U.S. Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff, which lasted nearly three hours. An Israeli official told the Post that part of the conversation was conducted privately between the two, while other segments included high-level participation from Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, and other senior figures.
After the meeting concluded, an Israeli official told the Post that Washington and Jerusalem “are aligned” in their approach going forward, particularly in light of Hamas severing communications.
On Friday, Witkoff is scheduled to tour humanitarian aid centers within Gaza.
“Witkoff intends to make sure there is no famine or deliberate starvation,” an Israeli official told the Post.
Trump posted the following message on Truth Social on Thursday: “The fastest way to end the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is for Hamas to surrender and release the hostages!!!”
