Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, who has led Israel’s negotiating team in hostage deal talks, intends to retire from politics in the coming months, senior government officials told Israel Hayom on Monday.
The officials reported that while Dermer has not set a departure date, he might stay on for a few short-term diplomatic efforts before officially resigning. It’s also possible that he could resign sooner.
During Israel's Security Cabinet meeting on Thursday evening, where Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's proposal to occupy Gaza City was approved, Dermer told ministers that Washington’s position on a hostage deal, as conveyed by US special envoy Steve Witkoff to the families of hostages, was "all or nothing," Ynet reported.
He emphasized that this stance remained the same, asserting that securing a comprehensive deal, which would ensure the release of all 50 hostages, both living and deceased, was the best option.
Dermer further mentioned that while mediators might present a partial deal for negotiations, there was little time for such a compromise. “We don’t have all the time in the world, and not from [US President Donald] Trump’s perspective either. He can’t allow the war to drag on,” Dermer said, as quoted by Ynet.
“If talks continue for too long, we can’t afford a partial deal. After a 60-day pause, we may lose the political capital needed to resume fighting.”
Praise and criticism for Dermer
In June, Shas chairman Arye Deri praised Dermer for his critical role in the joint Israel-US strike on Iran’s nuclear program. “I saw what he did. He has been focused on the Iranian issue for 25 years. From the moment Donald Trump was elected, he felt a mission,” Deri said.
“He worked with Steve Witkoff, Senator Marco Rubio, the president, the vice president; everyone respects him. Ron Dermer is God’s messenger.”
However, not all have been supportive. In May, families of the hostages called for Dermer’s resignation as head of the negotiating team, citing the lack of progress in securing the release of any more hostages. “100 days, 0 hostages released, families of the hostages demand the resignation of Minister Dermer from the head of the negotiation team,” their letter read.