From the Liveblog of
Monday, July 28, 2025
Dermer and Hanegbi meeting today in Florida with Witkoff
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Jacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief
Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi are meeting today with US special envoy Steve Witkoff in Florida, a source familiar with the matter says.
The trio are seeking to coordinate, after both the US and Israel pulled their negotiators out of Doha last week, citing frustration with Hamas’s response to the latest Gaza ceasefire and hostage release proposal, the source says.
An Arab diplomat and second source involved in mediation efforts say the gaps between the two sides are still bridgeable and that Egypt and Qatar are urging the US to allow for proximity talks to resume in Doha.
Witkoff said last week that the US would explore “alternative options,” and US President Donald Trump indicated that he would support Israel moving ahead with military operations to try and “get rid of” Hamas — something it has been unable to do in nearly 22 months of fighting.
The Times of Israel Community.