Secret Trump letter would let Israel resume war despite ceasefire: Report
Israel is reportedly seeking written assurances from US President Donald Trump that it will be allowed to resume military operations in Gaza if its demands are not met, even as talks over a 60-day ceasefire continue.
Citing a "member of the political echelon" - a phrase often used to signal deliberate leaks by the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu - Israel’s Channel 14 reported on Wednesday that the current proposal includes a side letter from Trump.
The document would give Israel the green light to "renew the fire if our demands with regards to the disarmament of Hamas and the exile of its leaders are not met". Israel would be able to interpret, define and make a judgment call on these terms.
In March of this year, Israel broke the ceasefire agreement and resumed military operations. However, many analysts at the time noted that Tel Aviv did not want the negotiations to continue.
The latest developments come despite claims of public optimism from both Israeli officials and Trump.
New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch
Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters
On Tuesday, the US president said Israel had accepted the necessary terms for a 60-day ceasefire and that during this pause, the parties would "work on ending the war".
"The Qataris and Egyptians, who have worked very hard to help bring peace, will deliver this final proposal," Trump said.
But Israeli media reports suggest the talks remain fraught. Serious challenges persist behind the scenes, especially over what will happen after the truce.
'New Middle East'
Israeli military reservist, Amit Yagur, formerly deputy head of Palestinian affairs in Israel’s military, told the pro-Netanyahu Channel 14 that Trump’s broader push for a “new Middle East” was increasing pressure on regional actors - particularly Qatar, where many senior Hamas officials are based.
"The focus must be on the new Middle East," Yagur said. "The new regional architecture being discussed creates pressure among all the players. Its power lies in shaping a new reality on the ground, including the deal and how far Hamas will agree."
During a cabinet meeting on Tuesday evening, Netanyahu vowed that any deal would guarantee the destruction of Palestinian resistance. "[We] have to kill anyone who is holding a weapon," he said.
Military analyst Amos Harel wrote in the Israeli daily Haaretz that Netanyahu may be staging the appearance of compromise for Washington, while signalling to Hamas that his core demands remain unchanged.
"For Hamas, the most critical demand is ending the war," Harel wrote, adding the group wants US guarantees to prevent Israel from sabotaging any future phase of the deal.
Netanyahu, he said, remains caught between striking a truce and maintaining support from his far-right coalition allies.
Middle East Eye delivers independent and unrivalled coverage and analysis of the Middle East, North Africa and beyond. To learn more about republishing this content and the associated fees, please fill out this form. More about MEE can be found here.
