Washington Revises Its Plan Regarding Gaza, Families of Prisoners Demand a Swap Deal

SadaNews - Axios news site reported, citing unnamed sources, that U.S. President Donald Trump's National Security team is reconsidering its strategy towards the Gaza Strip, following the call-up of both Washington and Tel Aviv from their teams in the Qatari capital Doha, where negotiations for a ceasefire are taking place.

The Israeli Channel 12 reported - citing sources - that U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio informed the families of Israeli prisoners in Gaza that it is time to consider a "more comprehensive approach" and provide "new options" to end the war in Gaza.

Axios noted that Rubio appeared frustrated during the meeting with the families of Israeli prisoners after the latest round of talks regarding Gaza collapsed.

The Israeli Prisoners' Families Committee has called for a demonstration today in Tel Aviv demanding the completion of a swap deal and the release of those held in the Strip.

They also urged President Trump to ask Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu -who is wanted by the International Criminal Court for committing war crimes in Gaza- to establish a "comprehensive agreement" in Gaza.

During a press conference, they said, "It is time for a comprehensive agreement to bring the hostages back from Gaza... We tell the U.S. government that our sons are running out of time, and Netanyahu is exploiting their issue... We are tired and fed up with this war and want the return of the kidnapped and an end to the conflict."

The Qatari Foreign Ministry had earlier announced that Qatar and Egypt continue their diligent efforts in the mediation file regarding Gaza to reach an agreement that would put an end to the war, while other sources indicated that the negotiations have not collapsed.

Complex Negotiations

The Qatari Foreign Ministry added in a statement that Doha and Cairo have pointed to some progress made during the last intensive round of negotiations that lasted for three weeks, and confirmed that suspending the negotiations for consultations before resuming dialogue is a normal matter within the context of these complex negotiations.

Qatar and Egypt, in partnership with the United States, reaffirmed their commitment to complete efforts towards a comprehensive ceasefire agreement in the Strip, according to the statement.

The American network "CNN" reported from an informed source that mediators are still discussing the possibility of reaching a ceasefire in Gaza, and communications are ongoing with both Israel and the Islamic resistance movement (Hamas).

According to a senior Israeli official quoted by "CNN", the talks have not collapsed at all, and there is still a chance to resume negotiations.

The official also confirmed that Israel hopes Hamas will readjust to the reality to allow the remaining gaps to be bridged.

According to the senior Israeli official, Israel cannot agree to Hamas's request regarding the number of Palestinian prisoners they want released in exchange for the "hostages" and that if Hamas retracts its demands, Israel is ready to send a delegation to Doha.

On the other hand, Axios reported from a senior Israeli official that the available alternatives for recovering the "hostages" from Gaza remain unclear.

This senior Israeli official told the site that it is necessary to create a crisis to break the deadlock in the talks, but it is not in Israel's interest for them to collapse.

Trump's Criticism

U.S. President Donald Trump claimed yesterday that Hamas does not really want to reach an agreement that leads to a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

He stated from the White House lawn that there will have to be fighting and the elimination of Hamas, as they "do not want to reach an agreement, and I think they want to die," he said.

He added that his administration withdrew from the Gaza negotiations, which he described as unfortunate, accusing Hamas of not wanting to reach an agreement because it knows what will happen after the recovery of all "hostages".

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu - who is wanted by the International Criminal Court for committing war crimes in Gaza - stated yesterday that Israel is now considering with its ally the United States alternative options for recovering the prisoners from the Gaza Strip and ending Hamas's rule in the sector, to ensure lasting peace for Israel and the region, in his words.