Diaspora Minister Amichai Chikli supports Israel’s negotiations under Trump’s Gaza plan, emphasizing that military resolve made talks possible.
Israeli Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli voiced support Sunday for the renewed negotiations between Israel and Hamas under US President Donald Trump’s peace framework, crediting Israel’s military campaign in Gaza for creating the conditions that forced Hamas to the table.
Speaking on Kan Reshet Bet, Chikli said the emerging plan rests on sound principles:
“There are good foundations — first the hostages, then a withdrawal,” he noted. “We need to let the Prime Minister and the delegation do their work. If it weren’t for our determination and the campaign in Gaza City, we would not have reached this point.”
Chikli’s comments came as reports indicated that Hamas has expressed reservations about the withdrawal map unveiled by President Trump on Saturday night — a central element of the first phase of the ceasefire and hostage-release arrangement.
The Trump administration’s plan, posted on Truth Social, includes a detailed map of the initial Israeli withdrawal line. Trump confirmed that Israel had agreed to the outline and that once Hamas signs on, a ceasefire would take effect immediately, accompanied by a comprehensive hostage-prisoner exchange.
“After negotiations, Israel has agreed to the initial withdrawal line, which we have shown to, and shared with, Hamas,” Trump wrote. “When Hamas confirms, the Ceasefire will be IMMEDIATELY effective, the Hostages and Prisoner Exchange will begin, and we will create the conditions for the next phase of withdrawal, which will bring us close to the end of this 3,000 YEAR CATASTROPHE.”
Crucially, the proposed map preserves Israeli control over the Philadelphi Corridor, the strategic border strip between Egypt and Gaza, as well as Hill 70, a commanding high ground essential for Israel’s border security.
Sources involved in the talks said these points — particularly Israel’s continued control over the corridor — are among the main issues Hamas is resisting ahead of the next round of discussions, set to take place Monday in Sharm el-Sheikh.
Israel’s leadership, however, has made clear that territorial concessions will not come at the expense of national security. The retention of key positions like the Philadelphi Corridor reflects Israel’s insistence that any agreement must guarantee long-term deterrence, prevent arms smuggling, and ensure Hamas cannot rebuild its terror infrastructure.
As Chikli summarized, Israel’s path to negotiation was forged not through weakness, but through strength — and that remains the guiding principle as talks advance under Trump’s initiative.
