Calls Grow to Oust Israel’s Lead Negotiator Over Hostage Deal Failures
Mounting frustration over stalled hostage negotiations fuels public pressure on Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, amid accusations of government inaction and renewed military escalation in Gaza.
Watan-A large number of families of Israeli captives held in the Gaza Strip have reported that Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, who heads Israel’s negotiation team on the hostage deal, has persistently refused to meet with them.
This comes amid accusations that the Israeli government is sabotaging negotiations and prioritizing the continuation of the war over the lives and return of the captives. The refusal coincides with a public campaign launched by the Forum of Families of Captives and Missing Persons in Israeli media, demanding that Dermer secure the return of all 59 captives—both the living and the dead—in a single deal.
Channel 12 reported on Tuesday that in the past, families had full access to top members of the negotiation team, including Mossad chief David Barnea and the army’s hostage file coordinator Nitzan Alon, both of whom led negotiations on Israel’s behalf in Qatar and Egypt. Additionally, former Trump envoy to the region, Jason Greenblatt, was said to be in regular contact with the families and had even shared his personal phone number with them.
“59 or Resign”: Families Demand Accountability from Dermer
The campaign’s slogan, featured on the front pages of several newspapers including Yedioth Ahronoth and Israel Hayom, reads:“Dermer, 59 or Resign.”
The message holds the minister personally accountable for the return of the 59 captives still held in Gaza, and if he fails to do so, the campaign demands his resignation.
In response, the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Dermer had met with four families individually at their request, and that more meetings would be held soon. The statement added that in cases where immediate meetings aren’t possible, the minister is kept fully informed and receives messages directly.
However, families claim they have repeatedly requested meetings with Dermer, to no avail—suggesting a pattern of deliberate avoidance rather than isolated incidents. According to Channel 12, this sensitive issue has become a source of tension, as families feel increasingly cut off from updates and information about the fate of their loved ones, especially as the Israeli military resumes its operations in Gaza and uncertainty about the captives’ status deepens.
Dermer Faces Internal Criticism Amid U.S. Talks on Gaza
Channel 12 had also reported days earlier on internal criticism from within the negotiation team regarding Dermer’s handling of the situation. Citing unnamed sources close to the talks, the report stated:
“It’s nice to call it diplomacy, but at the end of the day, there’s work to be done—and it’s not with the United States.”
The sources added:“The Dermer-Greenblatt axis has failed. We need professionals who can act quickly and respond to developments without wasting time. Trump’s understanding alone isn’t enough.”
Former Security Cabinet member Gadi Eisenkot also criticized Dermer’s performance, saying:
“He’s not doing his job. He should be replaced. We need someone who can handle this 24/7 and put energy into it, not hold a meeting once every two weeks.”
It’s worth noting that Dermer departed for Washington, D.C., on Sunday. According to The Times of Israel, he is expected to discuss a plan for Israeli military control over the Gaza Strip with senior U.S. officials this week. Netanyahu’s office declined to comment on the content of Dermer’s meetings with U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and other top intelligence, defense, and diplomatic officials.
Israeli National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi was initially scheduled to accompany Dermer, but according to Netanyahu’s office, “he will not be making the trip,” without providing further explanation.
