Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has designated Ron Dermer, a close friend and ex-U.S. ambassador, to head ceasefire negotiations with Hamas. Dermer, a former ambassador to the U.S. and someone with good relations with the Trump administration will be in charge of negotiating the second phase of the ceasefire.
The second round of negotiations, involving the cessation of hostilities, freeing of the hostages, and withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, has not begun.
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Dermer’s visit follows as the first stage of the truce with Hamas expires in early March.The negotiations matter because the conflict, which erupted after Hamas attacked on October 7, 2023, has left over 50,000 dead in Lebanon and Gaza and ruined the region. Apart from that, five Israeli troops have been accused of beating up a Palestinian suspect by Israeli army prosecutors in a trial that has ignited protests around Israel.
American-born Dermer is a Cabinet minister and has been one of Israel’s most senior figures for strategic issues, and has been influential in matters of relations with the U.S. as well as with Gulf Arab countries.
