Until last week, Israeli sources claimed that Hamas had rejected the Witkoff peace initiative to release 11 hostages, which led Israel to resume its military operations in Gaza. However, a more nuanced picture has emerged.

Steve Witkoff, President Trump's envoy for Gaza, Ukraine, and Iran’s situation, recently gave a series of detailed interviews in the United States, revealing the true nature of his proposal. According to Witkoff, Hamas did indeed reject an American proposal—but this happened two months ago, and Hamas reversed its position the following day.

Regarding the most recent proposal that preceded Israel's renewed military campaign, Witkoff stated that Hamas simply did not respond. While non-response doesn't equal acceptance, it also doesn't represent a definitive rejection.

A Grand Strategic Vision

So, what exactly is the Witkoff plan? At its core, it represents a strategic vision to establish a Middle Eastern economic bloc by expanding the Abraham Accords to include more countries. Though Witkoff didn't explicitly mention Saudi Arabia, it's difficult to imagine such an economic alliance without its participation.

The significance of ending the Gaza war lies in its potential to serve as a launching point for this new Middle Eastern economic bloc—one that could counterbalance the European Union. From this perspective, ending the conflict becomes a paramount American interest, explaining the U.S. eagerness to conclude hostilities.

When asked why the United States supports the resumption of war in Gaza, Witkoff explained that the difference between Trump and Biden's approaches is that Trump pursues his objectives from a position of strength. Military action is a means, not an end.

The Path Forward

Without stating it directly, Witkoff implied that if the goal is to end the war, the next step would likely be a comprehensive hostage deal, possibly after extending the first phase of negotiations.

This sentiment was reflected in Witkoff's deep sympathy for the families of casualties and hostages, coupled with a subtle criticism of Netanyahu for not being more aligned with Israeli public sentiment regarding the hostages. The implication: unlike Netanyahu, President Trump takes the families' pain to heart.

Clarifying Misconceptions

Contrary to what was understood in Israel as Trump's "transfer plan," Witkoff never mentioned a "Riviera" or forced relocations. Instead, he spoke about creating conditions where Gaza residents could freely exit and return as they choose. He emphasized the importance of maintaining stability in Egypt and Jordan—suggesting these countries would not be expected to absorb Gazans.

Regarding Jordan, it's worth noting that King Abdullah, in his throne speech, explicitly mentioned a regional economic cooperation framework that includes "Our Palestinian brothers."

Divergent Views on Hamas

Perhaps the most significant revelation is the profound difference between Netanyahu and Witkoff regarding Hamas. Witkoff did not rule out negotiations with Hamas or its continued presence in Gaza—but only if it relinquishes its weapons. This approach resembles the Bohler-Haya framework, which contrasts sharply with Israeli rhetoric about eliminating Hamas entirely.

When questioned about a Palestinian state, Witkoff didn't dismiss the possibility but stressed the importance of not repeating past solutions that have repeatedly failed. Notably, throughout his discussion of Gaza solutions, he made no mention of the Palestinian Authority.

A Broader Perspective on Terrorist Organizations

Witkoff's comprehensive view of terrorist organizations is illuminating. He cited the example of al-Julani in Syria, who transitioned from al-Qaeda affiliation to attempting to govern a state. This paradigm also applies to Qatar—while it supports the Muslim Brotherhood, Witkoff believes it could be persuaded to abandon this support and integrate into the new economic world order Trump is trying to build.

By extension, this approach could theoretically apply to Israeli far-right ministers Ben-Gvir and Smotrich. When Biden questioned Netanyahu about these controversial figures in his government, Netanyahu assured him he would control them—something that hasn't materialized. Perhaps now, after each has received his political booties, they might be willing to follow a path toward ending the war without settlements in Gaza and with Hamas remaining in some capacity. Could they undergo a transformation parallel to what Witkoff envisions for Hamas, al-Julani, and Qatar? One would need considerable faith to believe so.

Netanyahu's Shifting Rhetoric

It's notable that Netanyahu has stopped talking about "total victory" and now speaks only of "victory." With Netanyahu, such linguistic shifts are never accidental. Perhaps after stabilizing his government, he might turn against Ben-Gvir and Smotrich—or perhaps against Witkoff and Trump? Who can say with certainty.