Witkoff: Points of contention between Israel, Hamas ceasefire drop from four to one - Amichai Stein

 

by Amichai Stein

The main difficulty in the hostage deal talks in Qatar is the issue of maps, meaning the deployment of IDF troops during the ceasefire.

 

US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff speaks during a dinner with US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Blue Room of the White House, July 7, 2025

(photo credit: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

 

The Trump administration's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, said on Tuesday that the points of contention between Israel and Hamas to reach a deal have been reduced from four to one.

"I hope that by the end of the week, there will be a chance to reach an agreement," Witkoff said.

The main difficulty in the hostage deal talks in Qatar is the issue of maps, meaning the deployment of IDF troops during the ceasefire.

Israel is seeking a military presence along the Morag Corridor in the Gaza Strip as part of the ongoing talks.

Defense Minister Israel Katz discussed this in a briefing on Monday, but implied that this would not necessarily be a deal breaker.

(Illustrative) US Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff over a backdrop of Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip. (credit: REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein/Pool REFILE , ABED RAHIM KHATIB/FLASH90)

"Israel presented problematic maps. It’s not about 100 meters here or 100 meters there, but rather significant changes compared to the withdrawal to the March lines demanded by Hamas," a source from the mediating countries told The Jerusalem Post.

Netanyahu-Trump second meeting in two days

US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet at 4:30 p.m. local time at the White House to discuss ongoing hostage deal talks, the Prime Minister's Office confirmed on Tuesday.

Yonah Jeremy Bob contributed to this report.

This is a developing report.

Amichai Stein

Source: https://www.jpost.com/international/article-860400

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