Yedioth Ahronoth: Israel surprised by Witkoff recent statement regarding Benjamin Netanyahu
The Israeli Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper quoted sources in the Israeli government as saying, “Israel was surprised by the statements of US envoy to the Middle East, Steven Witkoff”.
During an interview with Tucker Carlson on Friday evening, Witkoff criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for not having a strategic plan for Gaza, saying, “There is no map or horizon, and this is causing instability”.
“Netanyahu wants to free the detainees in Gaza, but he seeks to achieve this through a policy of pressuring Hamas,” Witkoff said.
Regarding the Israeli prisoners held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Witkoff asserted that Netanyahu doesn’t care about Israeli prisoners.
The US envoy noted that the Israeli people want the prisoners returned, and Netanyahu is going against public opinion on the issue, noting, “even if I don’t always agree with Netanyahu, I understand his critics on this matter”.
While stating that “Hamas seeks to remain in Gaza and administer the Strip,” Witkoff considered this unacceptable, as he put it, noting that negotiations are underway to halt some Israeli strikes on Gaza.
The US envoy continued, “I don’t think Hamas is that ideologically closed,” emphasizing that “when you understand that they want to live, then you can talk to them more effectively”.
Witkoff also expressed his belief that no one believes Hamas can be completely eliminated, stressing the need to devise a new plan to stabilize Gaza.
Witkoff believes that stability in the Gaza Strip may include the return of some residents, while others may not be able to return.
He stressed that the only way to deal with the situation is to ensure that what happened to Israel on October 7, 2023, doesn’t happen again.
As for the future of the Gaza Strip, after Israel resumed its war with US support, Witkoff confirmed that “the United States will attempt to develop different plans for Gaza,” explaining that these plans may or may not include the word “two states,” explaining, “What we will do regarding Gaza will become clearer over the next six to 12 months”.
