Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer has been appointed to spearhead the Israeli delegation’s discussions regarding the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire and hostage negotiations, as independently confirmed by The Jerusalem Post on Tuesday evening.

Ron Dermer is recognized for his close personal and professional ties with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, along with prominent officials from former US President Donald Trump’s administration. This relationship is further cemented by Dermer’s previous role as Israel’s Ambassador to Washington during Trump’s first term.

In addition, Dermer played a pivotal role in the successful execution of the Abraham Accords in 2020.

He succeeds Mossad Director David Barnea, who navigated the initial phase of these negotiations.

As noted by Herb Keinon in The Jerusalem Post on February 4, “Dermer’s appointment should not be viewed as a trivial administrative change. It represents an enhancement of political and diplomatic influence in the discussions, particularly from the Israeli standpoint, and reinforces the Prime Minister’s direct oversight of the proceedings.”

Transition from Phase One to Phase Two

The timing aligns with the transition from the completion of the first phase of negotiations, which primarily focused on a timetable for the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas, to the onset of the second phase, which is set to address the future of Gaza post-conflict.

Phase two will also incorporate increased direct communication between Israeli and US officials, contrasting with phase one, which predominantly involved discussions with Qatari representatives.

The timing of this announcement may reflect Prime Minister Netanyahu’s intention to position Dermer at the forefront of ongoing negotiations, as Dermer is more closely aligned with Netanyahu’s objectives compared to Barnea or Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) chief Ronen Bar.

James Genn and Yonah Jeremy Bob contributed to this report.