ALBAWABA - U.S. President Donald Trump openly questioned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's capacity to reach an agreement to release Israeli prisoners in Gaza as hostage talks between Israel and Hamas continue in Doha.
Yedioth Ahronoth said that while there hasn't been any major progress, the Israeli negotiation delegation is still in Doha and is following the American plan spearheaded by Trump's Middle East envoy, Steven Weitekamp. According to Israeli authorities, the delegation's withdrawal has not yet been decided.
Trump added, "I don't know if Netanyahu is capable of signing a hostage deal and securing their release," in response to the situation. We will soon find out. He said he is negotiating with Israel to get the captives home, acknowledging that their circumstances are not good.
The discussion delegation is expected to remain in Doha until at least Saturday night, according to Axios, which cited anonymous Israeli sources. According to reports, the team urged Netanyahu to go on with negotiations, claiming that there is still a potential for a resolution.
But annoyances are growing. Qatari mediators claim that the Israeli side has not presented any substantive suggestions in recent days, creating the appearance that they arrived in Doha to obstruct negotiations and defend the continuation of military operations in Gaza rather than engage in dialogue.
According to one Israeli minister cited by Axios, while Netanyahu says he is trying to reach an agreement, talks have effectively come to a standstill.
Protests are still going on in Israel. Demanding a hostage exchange, protesters gathered in front of the Jerusalem home of the Knesset Speaker. Israel is "just steps away" from missing another chance for a deal, according to the Israeli Hostage Families Forum.
The forum charged Netanyahu of squandering a vital opportunity to bring the captives back and put a stop to the conflict. "Israel is being pulled further into the Gaza quagmire rather than bringing the conflict to an end," the organization said. Additionally, it urged Trump and Netanyahu to work harder to advance the cause before it's too late.
Recently, President Trump wrapped up a four-day visit to the Middle East. He said that "good things" would occur with relation to Gaza in the next month, but he did not elaborate. He also said that the United States should assist the hungry Palestinians and reaffirmed his concern for the humanitarian situation in the Strip.
