US fears Netanyahu may undermine Gaza ceasefire, report says

The Trump administration is growing increasingly worried that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could destabilize the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, according to a report by The New York Times. This apprehension has triggered a concerted diplomatic effort from Washington to reinforce the truce and prevent a return to full-scale conflict between Israel and Hamas.

High-Level Visits to Bolster the Truce

Citing unnamed White House officials, the report indicates that Vice President JD Vance's current visit to Israel is a strategic move to apply pressure on Netanyahu. The visit is intended to symbolically underscore the US commitment to preserving the deal. This follows the arrival of US Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff and the President's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, who held talks with Israeli officials on Monday regarding the implementation of the agreement.

A Deal "In Danger of Falling Apart"

A senior US official expressed that both Witkoff and Kushner share the belief that the ceasefire is precarious. Their strategy in Israel is explicitly aimed at discouraging Netanyahu from launching a renewed, widespread assault on Hamas. The negotiations have centered on resolving ambiguities in the initial pact, including the composition of a stabilization force and the complex issue of Hamas's disarmament. The fragility of the situation was highlighted by recent Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, which killed dozens, though both US President Trump and Hamas have affirmed the ceasefire remains in effect.

The Broader Context and Human Cost

The ceasefire, which took effect on October 10, was based on a phased plan presented by President Trump. Its initial phase involved a prisoner exchange, with longer-term goals including the reconstruction of Gaza and the establishment of a new governing body without Hamas. The conflict, which this truce aims to halt, has resulted in a devastating human cost, with the Gaza Health Ministry reporting over 68,200 killed and 170,200 injured since October 2023.