'Unacceptable': PM Slams Hamas as Israeli Team Heads to Doha

Hamas announced on Friday that it had delivered a “positive response” to the US-backed proposal brokered by Qatar. 

However, the terrorist group is demanding that humanitarian aid be delivered exclusively through the United Nations and other international organizations, ending operations of the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Fund. 

Hamas was also reported to have demanded clarifications on Israel’s plans for withdrawal from Gaza during the ceasefire, as well as a commitment to continue negotiations toward a “permanent” end to the war. 

Netanyahu was scheduled to depart for Washington on Sunday ahead of a Monday meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House. 

Israeli President Isaac Herzog met with Netanyahu on Sunday morning ahead of the premier’s diplomatic visit. 

“In his visit to Washington, the prime minister carries with him an important mission—advancing a deal to bring all our hostages home,” Herzog said. 

“This is a supreme moral duty,” the president continued. “I fully support these efforts, even when they involve difficult, complex and painful decisions. We must all remember that the cost is not simple, but I am confident that the Cabinet and the security establishment will manage these challenges as they have until now.” 

Herzog thanked Trump for his steadfast support in countering Iran’s nuclear threat and backing Israel. The president called on world leaders to leverage their influence for a breakthrough, commended the negotiation team heading to Doha, and wished Netanyahu success, emphasizing that the nation is united in hope and prayer for the hostages’ safe return. 

Speaking to reporters on July 1, Trump previewed the upcoming meeting, expressing optimism about the possibility of a truce. 

“We hope it’s going to happen,” the president said. “We’re looking forward to it happening sometime next week. We want to get our hostages out.” 

On Saturday night, Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir urged Netanyahu to block the “surrender framework” and intensify military action. 

“The central goal of the war is the collapse of Hamas,” Ben-Gvir said. “A promise of ‘demilitarization of the Strip’ in the future, combined with a partial agreement now that includes the withdrawal of IDF forces from captured territories, the release of hundreds of murderous terrorists, and the resuscitation of Hamas through large-scale humanitarian aid, distances us from achieving this goal and is a reward for terror.” 

He continued, “The path to decisive victory and the safe return of our hostages is the full conquest of Gaza, a complete halt to the so-called ‘humanitarian’ aid, and encouraging emigration.” 

The Israeli military is continuing ground operations across Gaza as part of “Operation Gideon’s Chariots,” a campaign aimed at dismantling Hamas’s remaining terror capabilities, seizing key areas in the Strip, and securing the release of the 50 captives, living and dead, still being held by the terrorist group.