Washington (TDI): The US administration issued a strong condemnation to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following an Israeli strike on senior Hamas commander Raad Saad, stating that the action violated the Gaza ceasefire brokered by President Trump.
Two US officials informed an outlet that the White House warned Netanyahu that while he was free to damage his own reputation, they would not permit him to damage the President’s reputation regarding the deal. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, top envoy Steve Witkoff and Middle East adviser Jared Kushner are reportedly exasperated with Netanyahu, particularly due to Israeli inflexibility on several Gaza-related matters, according to the officials.
Israel is reportedly concerned that Washington might insist on moving to the ceasefire’s next phase, which includes governing arrangements for Gaza and the eventual disarming of Hamas, even if Master Sgt. Ran Gvili, the last deceased hostage is not returned, which was due under the first phase. The next phase involves Hamas disarming and Israel withdrawing as a multinational force is deployed and a Palestinian technocratic body takes over Gaza’s management. These reported allegations against Netanyahu come just two weeks before his scheduled meeting with President Trump.
Meanwhile, the Jerusalem Governorate warned on Monday against a dangerous Israeli settlement project intending to construct nearly 9,000 settler homes in the central West Bank. In a statement specifically on lands surrounding the Jerusalem International Airport and nearby densely populated Palestinian areas like Kafr Aqab, Qalandia and Al-Ram.
The Governorate called the plan a direct threat to the geographical and demographic connections between Jerusalem and Ramallah, arguing it deepens separation and isolation imposed on the city and its surroundings, and undermines any political horizon based on the two-state solution, An Israeli committee is set to meet on Wednesday to discuss the advancement of this plan, following a recent request from the Israeli Finance Ministry for funds to allegedly rehabilitate polluted lands, a step seen as practically speeding up the settlement project.
