Tensions between Israel and the US are escalating with Israeli ministers criticizing President Donald Trump’s administration for securing the discharge of Israeli American soldier Edan Alexander from Hamas with out coordinating with Tel Aviv, native media reported Monday.
Israel’s Channel 13 mentioned that regardless of efforts by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s workplace to painting wholesome ties with Washington, relations are rising more and more strained day by day.
The ministers sharply criticized Trump over the take care of the Palestinian group to launch Alexander, in response to the channel.
Netanyahu convened an emergency assembly Sunday night with safety chiefs and choose ministers after Trump introduced the settlement, the channel reported.
During the assembly, he described the US transfer as “the administration’s way of pressuring for a broader deal.”
Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir mentioned “if they bypass us, we must ensure no commitments are made on our behalf to Hamas.”
Later Monday, Hamas introduced Alexander’s launch, and the Israeli army confirmed that it had acquired him from the Red Cross and transferred him to Israel.
“I spoke with President Trump today. He said ‘I am committed to Israel, to continuing to work with you in close cooperation’ in order to achieve all of our war objectives: Releasing all of the hostages and defeating Hamas,'” Netanyahu mentioned in a recorded assertion.
He credited Alexander’s launch to Israel’s army strain mixed with Trump’s diplomatic efforts, calling it a “a winning combination.”
Alexander, a twin US Israeli citizen, was launched by US-led negotiations with Hamas through mediators totally with out Israel’s information or involvement, in response to Israeli media stories.
Separately, Channel 13 cited an unnamed Israeli official who mentioned the probability of increasing fight in Gaza has diminished as a result of US strain on Israel to exhaust hostage-swap negotiations.
“Edan Alexander’s release creates momentum, and we are trying to seize opportunities in the coming days,” the official added.
Channel 12 mentioned that “Washington did not involve Israel in the talks it conducted to secure a deal with Hamas for Alexander’s release.”
Israel acquired indications of the deal as early as Friday, however these got here from unofficial sources, the channel added.
On Sunday morning, Trump’s particular envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, contacted Netanyahu and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, who leads Israel’s negotiating workforce, to tell them of the finalized US-Hamas settlement for Alexander’s launch, in response to Channel 12.
Witkoff introduced the data to Netanyahu and Dermer as a ultimate choice.
The channel, citing two unnamed Israeli sources, revealed that Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir warned throughout a closed assembly final week that “we must be cautious of the possibility that the US is orchestrating a move we’re unaware of, in preparation for President Trump’s visit.”
The Israeli army declined to touch upon the assertion attributed to Zamir.
The US, alongside mediators in Egypt and Qatar, is pushing for a hostage trade and ceasefire in Gaza. An Israeli negotiating workforce is ready to journey to Doha, Qatar on Tuesday to debate such an settlement.
The developments coincide with Trump’s first Middle East journey since beginning his second time period in January, visiting Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates from May 13-16.
Israel estimates that 58 Israeli captives stay in Gaza, together with 21 who’re nonetheless alive.
Meanwhile, greater than 9,900 Palestinians are being held in Israeli prisons, the place they face torture, hunger and medical neglect—situations which have led to a number of deaths, in response to stories by Palestinian and Israeli media and human rights organizations.
Nearly 52,900 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza in a brutal Israeli onslaught since October 2023, most of them girls and youngsters.
The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants final November for Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for battle crimes and crimes towards humanity in Gaza.
Israel additionally faces a genocide case on the International Court of Justice for its battle on the enclave.
Source: www.anews.com.tr