Washington’s Crucial Call: The Turning Point in the Gaza Agreement
A decisive phone call from the U.S. played a pivotal role in expediting negotiations and securing the Gaza agreement amid tense diplomatic efforts.
Watan–Israeli and British sources have revealed a pivotal role played by a phone call in accelerating negotiations over the hostage exchange deal in Gaza.
Donald Trump’s incoming special envoy, Steve Witkoff, made an unexpected call to the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The Times of Israel quoted officials saying that Witkoff exerted more influence on Netanyahu in a single session than Biden had throughout the past year. The tense meeting between Netanyahu and Trump’s envoy ultimately led to significant progress in the negotiations.
A senior Israeli government official told Channel 14 that “the message from the incoming U.S. president was firm and clear: the deal must be finalized immediately.”
In an analysis published by Yedioth Ahronoth, Nadav Eyal noted, “Netanyahu understood Trump’s position was resolute, leaving no room for maneuver. The president-elect was determined to see the deal through.”
Subsequently, Netanyahu made two phone calls: one to President Trump to thank him for his efforts in advancing the agreement, and another to current President Joe Biden for the same purpose. Netanyahu’s office announced an upcoming visit to Washington to meet with Trump.
