Gaza hostage talks: Trump-Israel tensions begin to surface

Gaza: Rare tensions are surfacing between Israel and President Donald Trump’s administration, after the US engaged in direct negotiations with Hamas regarding hostages in Gaza, including an American national. As details emerged about talks between Adam Boehler, the US envoy for hostages, and a top Hamas representative, Israeli leaders quietly expressed their displeasure, saying Hamas is a terrorist organisation whose words can’t be trusted or taken at face value.

Boehler acknowledged in television interviews Sunday that Israel had “raised some concerns,” but said it’s helpful to hear what Hamas wants and what it’s offering. “We’re not an agent of Israel. We have specific interests at play,” he noted on CNN.

The friction over Boehler’s outreach to Hamas, a group the US and others designate as terrorist, is the first sign of disagreement. While Trump has made his support for Israel clear, the president’s unpredictable moves – including stunning European allies by opening direct peace talks with Russia – left officials wary.

On Monday, Israel’s Agriculture Minister Avi Dichter and a member of the security cabinet, went public with criticism of Boehler on Israel Radio.

“This is a measure which – even if the intentions behind it are very good – the execution is very bad, very problematic,” he said. “It’s very dangerous when you undertake moves without knowing and without coordinating with the Israeli side.”

Israeli officials have repeatedly asserted that, when differences appeared between their positions and the US’ during former president Joe Biden’s administration, Hamas hardened its stand. They were delighted when Trump was elected in November, saying the two countries would work in lockstep to break the Palestinian militant group.Despite direct talks with Hamas, Boehler told several Israeli television channels Sunday that the US-Israel relationship is rock-solid, not under threat. Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said in a radio interview on Monday that “Israel is 100% coordinated with the US administration.” -Bloomberg