Qatar has submitted a mediation proposal to both Israel and Hamas based on the Witkoff framework, with minor adjustments and additions, according to a source familiar with the details who spoke to The Jerusalem Post.
At the same time, Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer has been in discussions with senior US officials regarding ideas for ending the war and planning for the period afterward. The aim is to implement the Witkoff framework and reach the first day of a ceasefire – which would mark the beginning of negotiations to end the war – with several key issues already resolved or with concrete proposals on the table.
The current working proposal calls for the release of eight hostages on the first day of the ceasefire, followed by the release of two additional hostages near the end of a 60-day truce. During that period, discussions on ending the war are expected to take place, with the goal of entering the first day of talks with tangible progress already achieved.
Next Monday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to meet with US President Donald Trump. Ahead of the meeting, Trump said on Tuesday: “Netanyahu wants to end the war in Gaza. I believe we will have a deal next week. I’m going to be very firm with Netanyahu about ending the war.”
On Thursday, following Dermer’s meetings in Washington, the Security Cabinet is expected to convene to decide whether to send an Israeli delegation to Egypt or Qatar – something Israel has not yet done.
As seen during Hamas’s internal debate over whether to release dual Israeli-American citizen Edan Alexander, disagreements within the terrorist organization are expected to resurface over this latest proposal as well.
In this context, Dermer has told senior US officials that increased Qatari pressure on Hamas could prove pivotal. According to a source familiar with the discussions, Dermer is telling US officials: “The administration needs to tell Qatar to pressure Hamas to say yes, so that concrete understandings can be reached within days.”
Trump pushes for end to war in Gaza
After achieving a ceasefire that ended the 12-day war between Israel and Iran, Trump is pushing for a 60-day ceasefire agreement in Gaza that would include the release of some of the hostages and allow for the opening of negotiations to end the war.
A plan for the “day after,” which would define how Gaza would be managed without Hamas rule and what security arrangements would be established to prevent Hamas from re-establishing itself, would be key to any agreement that would end the war.
If a temporary ceasefire is achieved, a US plan for the “day after” could serve as the basis for negotiations between Israel and Hamas to end the war.
Trump told reporters that he expects to have a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas by next week when Netanyahu visits the United States.
In his comments, Trump noted that the Israeli leader also wanted to end the war in Gaza.
Witkoff is expected to discuss the 60-day ceasefire agreement with Dermer, which would include the release of 10 living hostages and the remains of 15 killed hostages.
According to sources, Witkoff has been holding talks in recent days with Qatari and Egyptian officials who are mediating between Israel and Hamas, in an effort to formulate an updated proposal for an agreement.
A source with direct knowledge said that Witkoff made it clear to the mediators that Trump intends to push for an agreement in the coming days.
“The president is appalled by the sights coming from both Israel and Gaza throughout this war. He wants it to end. He wants to save lives. The president’s top priority is to bring all the abductees home from Gaza,” White House press secretary Karoline Levitt said at a press briefing on Monday.
Dermer arrived in Washington on Monday and is expected to meet with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance, in addition to Witkoff, according to a source familiar with the details.
Israeli officials say Dermer will prepare the ground for Netanyahu’s visit to the White House next week and his planned meeting with Trump on Monday.