White House Reportedly Worried Netanyahu Damaged Gaza's Ceasefire

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu/screenshot via Instagram @isselipm

JAKARTA - President Donald Trump's administration is increasingly concerned that Israel's chief authority Benjamin Netanyahu will jeopardize Gaza's ceasefire agreement with Hamas.

The New York Times, citing unnamed White House officials, reported that Vice President JD Vance' visit to Israel aimed at pressuring Netanyahu to comply with the ceasefire in Gaza and added symbolic meaning to demonstrate the government's commitment to keeping the deal in effect.

Earlier, US envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner landed in Israel on Monday to hold talks with Netanyahu and other officials on the implementation of the deal.

A senior US official told the US daily that Witkoff and Kushner believed the ceasefire agreement was in danger of failure.

The strategy of the two envoys in Israel is to 'try to prevent Netanyahu from continuing an all-out attack on Hamas,' the source said.

The New York Times reported talks between Witkoff and Kushner in Israel focused on a number of more complicated things that had not been defined in their initial agreement,' such as the formation of a stability guard force and the removal of Hamas weapons.

Israel launched a series of deadly airstrikes in the Gaza Strip on Sunday, killing at least 44 Palestinians after accusing Hamas of attacking its troops in the southern city of Rafah. Palestinian groups have denied involvement and reaffirmed their commitment to the ceasefire.

Trump has insisted the ceasefire in Gaza remains effective despite Israeli attacks.

The ceasefire deal came into effect on October 10 in the Gaza Strip, based on a gradual plan delivered by Trump. The first phase includes the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.

The plan also includes the rebuilding of Gaza and the establishment of a new government mechanism without Hamas.

Gaza's Ministry of Health stated that Israel's genocide war had killed more than 68,200 people and injured more than 170,200 people since October 2023.