Netanyahu demands US pledge to resume war, Washington 'victory tour' 'without results'

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is seeking a written commitment from the US administration that would allow him to resume the war on the Gaza Strip amidst negotiations for a ceasefire and prisoner exchange. This visit comes during his current visit to Washington, which he intended to be a "victory tour" following the war on Iran. The visit is drawing to a close with little media hype or announced results.

Haaretz newspaper reported Thursday that Netanyahu's schedule did not feature "any dramatic developments," despite the fact that he had summoned the head of Military Intelligence and the head of Mossad about ten days ago, accompanying them to the Tel Aviv District Court to present confidential assessments in favor of postponing his corruption trial.

The newspaper noted that Netanyahu visited various cities in Israel during the first week of July, and in the second week, he headed to Washington. His visit raised questions due to its timing, as his presence there coincided with a congressional recess and the lack of meaningful meetings. This led the newspaper to describe his meetings with members of Congress as "short and of limited significance."

As for the meetings with US President Donald Trump, Haaretz described them as "devoid of content." It noted that the first meeting, initially scheduled for a closed-door meeting, was suddenly opened by Trump to journalists, but he offered no new positions during it.

The second meeting was completely closed, with even American journalists not allowed to cover it. Trump did not tweet about it, and no details were leaked. Netanyahu, in contrast, merely released a "weak content" video from the US president's official guest house, Blair House, according to the newspaper.

The newspaper quoted a source accompanying the Israeli delegation as saying, "Netanyahu wanted a victory lap (after the war on Iran), and he got it in the White House." However, the newspaper noted that the focus of American public opinion quickly shifted from the Iranian issue to domestic disasters, most notably the mass shooting in Texas.

However, the newspaper noted that there is "a complete understanding between Israel and the United States regarding the Iranian issue," with Washington expressing a desire to resume negotiations with Tehran over the nuclear issue, in exchange for an implicit understanding with Israel allowing it to attack Iranian ballistic missile production facilities if they are rebuilt.

Regarding Syria, Haaretz reported that there have been no notable developments. It said that "Israel may withdraw from areas near the Syrian towns it occupied in December, but it refuses to withdraw from the summit of Mount Hermon." The newspaper noted that Netanyahu considers the summit "a strategic Israeli asset forever." A senior political source, according to the newspaper, also evaded answering questions regarding Israel's assessment of the new Syrian regime.

Haaretz did not rule out the possibility of continued security coordination between Israel and the Syrian regime, under Gulf sponsorship, in an undeclared manner. It added, "It doesn't appear that an official announcement regarding relations with Syria will be made in the near future. The United States is not pressuring Israel, and from its perspective, the parties will do what they see fit."

Regarding the ongoing negotiations on Gaza in Doha, the newspaper reported that Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, returned from Washington to Florida and is preparing to head to Qatar, but the date of the visit has not yet been set. An Israeli source was quoted as saying, "Netanyahu wants a written American pledge that will allow him to return to fighting in Gaza," which he will use to persuade ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir. Haaretz suggested that Trump may have given such a pledge verbally, but Netanyahu wants it documented.

The newspaper stated that the core issue still pending in the Doha negotiations relates to the Gaza withdrawal lines, specifically Netanyahu's insistence on maintaining Israeli control over the city of Rafah in order to establish infrastructure for what it described as a "population concentration zone" that would later be used to push Palestinians toward Egypt.

She added, "Hamas rejects this, as do the mediators," and that the issue will not be resolved before Witkoff arrives in Doha. Citing its sources, the newspaper said, "His delayed arrival worries some parties, but indications are that the talks are still serious and effective." The newspaper concluded, "If an agreement is not reached by next Sunday, this will be an indication of declining goodwill," noting that "the ball is now in the court of the United States and Witkoff."