Netanyahu said to insist PA have no role in Gaza as US pushes Trump’s plan to end war
Israeli TV says PM has recently informed US of several red lines regarding Strip’s future; Trump reportedly pleased he ‘has so far managed to keep both sides in line’ amid ceasefire
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While meeting Wednesday with US Vice President JD Vance, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed willingness to assist in implementing the next stages of Washington’s Gaza ceasefire and hostage release plan, Israeli television reported, as the Trump administration pushes to advance its proposal for ending the Israel-Hamas war.
Citing American and Israeli officials familiar with the discussions, Channel 12 news said Vance urged Netanyahu to give Washington time to roll out the plan, to which the premier responded by showing a readiness to cooperate in the coming phases.
In a separate report, however, the network said that Netanyahu outlined several red lines to the US in recent days, including absolute opposition to any Turkish presence in the Gaza Strip and to the Palestinian Authority or Hamas playing a governing role there “the day after” the war. He is also said to have insisted that a full IDF withdrawal would only take place after Hamas is fully disarmed and the Strip demilitarized.
An Israeli security official told Channel 12 that Washington views Turkey as essential to the plan’s success and sees no viable alternative to eventual Palestinian Authority involvement, which could force Netanyahu into compromise as Washington’s pressure increases.
A source close to US President Donald Trump was quoted by the network as saying that he is pleased “the United States has so far managed to keep both sides in line,” referring to Israel and Hamas.
The network added that Trump’s top envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, departed Israel for Riyadh late Tuesday night, where they met with senior Saudi officials to further rally support for the deal. From Riyadh, they continued to Abu Dhabi on Wednesday for meetings with Emirati officials toward the same goal.
The meetings in both countries were aimed at mobilizing financial, military, and diplomatic backing from Arab states for the deal.
Tahnoon bin Zayed meets Witkoff and Kushner#WamNews https://t.co/EjryatmlvI pic.twitter.com/fH9LUMB2Sb
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The Channel 12 reporting came after Netanyahu’s office vowed to The Times of Israel earlier Wednesday that “there will be no Turkish involvement” in the planned International Stabilization Force, which Trump’s 20-point plan for Gaza envisions will secure the Strip during a transitional postwar period following Israel’s withdrawal and the disarmament of Hamas.
According to a Sky News Arabia report denied by the Prime Minister’s Office, Netanyahu and Egypt’s intelligence chief disagreed over potential Turkish involvement during a meeting the previous day. That report also said Netanyahu “completely rejected” the deployment of Palestinian Authority security forces trained by Egypt and Jordan in Gaza, in a reiteration of his stance against having the PA play any role in the enclave.
Rubio due to arrive for multiday visit
Following Vance and the Trump envoys, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was due to arrive in Israel on Thursday, with the State Department saying the purpose of the trip is “to support the successful implementation of President Trump’s Comprehensive Plan to End the Conflict in Gaza, which has garnered unprecedented international support.”
“During his visit, the secretary will reaffirm America’s unwavering commitment to Israel’s security and engage with partners to build on the historic momentum towards durable peace and integration in the Middle East,” added a State Department statement.
Rubio is scheduled to be in Israel until Saturday, then visit Malaysia, Japan and South Korea.
It was not immediately clear if he would be in Israel at the same time as Vance, who is slated to visit Tel Aviv on Thursday for a meeting at the Defense Ministry headquarters, resulting in major street closures in the central city.
According to Channel 12, Vance will meet at the Kirya base with Defense Minister Israel Katz, Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, Operations Directorate head Maj. Gen. Itzik Cohen and Military Intelligence Directorate commander Maj. Gen. Shlomi Binder, with the generals expected to update the US vice president on “all the coordination operations currently taking place in Gaza.”
Vance on Wednesday toured the City of David National Park near Jerusalem’s Old City, according to a spokesperson for the site. Signing the guestbook at the park, Vance wrote: “Thank you for preserving this place, a global heritage site for all the children of Abraham.”
During his visit, the vice president walked the entire length of the recently opened Pilgrimage Road — a newly excavated tunnel that foundation archaeologists say was used during the Second Temple period (516 BCE–70 CE) by Jewish pilgrims making their way to the Temple Mount, the holiest site for Jews.
Last month, Rubio participated in the opening ceremony of the road, alongside Netanyahu and US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee.
Rubio’s participation drew attention to controversy over the site’s location in East Jerusalem’s Silwan neighborhood, amid reports at the time that the secretary was supportive of Israel annexing the West Bank in response to Western states recognizing a Palestinian state.
The visit underscored the Trump administration’s continued backing of initiatives viewed by critics as reinforcing Israel’s claims to East Jerusalem, which Palestinians regard as the capital of a future state.
Agencies contributed to this report.
The Times of Israel Community.