Israeli officials Mossad chief David Barnea and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer are in Washington this week to meet with U.S. Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff in an ongoing effort to secure a hostage deal with Hamas.
The proposed agreement under discussion includes a two-stage exchange: 10 living hostages and 10 bodies for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, paired with a temporary ceasefire. Hamas is reportedly willing to agree to a 90-day truce, but both Israel and Witkoff are pushing for 60 days. Hamas is also demanding a U.S. commitment to end the war—something the Biden administration and Israel have resisted.
Talks remain deadlocked, with mediators struggling to balance Hamas’s demand for a path to permanent ceasefire and Israel’s refusal to make such a commitment. Prime Minister Netanyahu reiterated that the war will continue until Hamas is dismantled and hostages are freed.
Meanwhile, frustration is mounting among hostage families. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum criticized Dermer, calling for his resignation after 100 days without a single hostage release under his watch. Netanyahu also drew backlash for falsely claiming the January hostage deal happened after leadership changes in Mossad and Shin Bet.
Only one hostage, dual U.S.-Israeli citizen Edan Alexander, has been released since February—and Dermer wasn’t involved.
As the humanitarian crisis deepens in Gaza, with sporadic aid access and growing unrest, negotiations remain urgent. Terror groups continue to hold 58 hostages, including 20 believed to be alive. Despite some optimism from U.S. envoys, no breakthrough has been reached.
