According to Israeli media, direct talks between the US and Hamas in Gaza for a hostage exchange has caused great discomfort within the Netanyahu government. The Tel Aviv administration warned, “Do not offer Hamas a proposal without Israel’s consent.”

Reports indicated that the Tel Aviv government was uneasy about the direct US talks with Hamas regarding extending the ceasefire and mutual prisoner exchange with Israel.

It was noted that Israel demanded that the Washington administration refrain from offering a proposal without consulting them. Based on a report from the Walla website’s two sources in Israel, Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, a key figure in Israeli-US relations, relayed during a meeting with US Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs Adam Boehler that they opposed offering Hamas a proposal without Israel’s consent. While Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu avoided criticizing the US directly, it was reported that his advisors were “highly displeased” with the direct negotiations with Hamas.

It was shared that the US conveyed to Hamas in the talks that the release of American-Israeli prisoners in Gaza would provide assurances to Trump and enable him to exert pressure for a long-term ceasefire. The discussion also reportedly touched on the release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails in exchange for the American citizen in Gaza, which Israel opposed and Washington found unsatisfactory from Hamas.