In a stunning development amid ongoing negotiations for a ceasefire and prisoner exchange between Israel and Gaza, Brigadier General Oren Setter, a senior Israeli negotiator, announced his sudden resignation, citing frustration with stalled progress in talks. Setter, the deputy to lead negotiator Major General Nitzan Alon, had been a prominent figure in Israeli efforts to broker a deal involving prisoner swaps and a ceasefire in Gaza, a mission that has attracted international attention and pressure.
Israeli public broadcaster reported Setter’s resignation early Monday, noting his critical role in shaping a peace proposal endorsed by U.S. President Joe Biden and the United Nations Security Council. The resignation appears to underscore deep-seated challenges in Israel’s negotiations with Hamas, even as the humanitarian and political crisis in Gaza draws mounting scrutiny worldwide.
Hostage Exchange Hurdles
The resignation comes shortly after Mossad Chief David Barnea returned from diplomatic discussions in Doha with Qatar’s Prime Minister, Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, and CIA Director William Burns. The officials reportedly discussed a “new unified plan” for a prisoner exchange, which incorporated prior proposals and attempted to address long-standing issues and demands from all sides.
“If there had been any possibility of a breakthrough, we would not have witnessed this dramatic resignation,” noted the Israeli broadcaster.
Reactions and Next Steps
While commenting on Setter’s departure, Israeli army spokesperson Daniel Hagari acknowledged Setter’s relentless commitment to negotiations. “Setter worked tirelessly to strengthen the efforts to return the captured. He will return to assist the team in the future, as needed,” Hagari remarked, pointing to Setter’s potential involvement in future efforts if negotiations resume.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed Barnea’s recent talks in Doha as part of ongoing mediation efforts led by Qatar and Egypt. However, reports indicate that Netanyahu continues to impose new conditions that complicate progress towards an agreement, leading to a heightened impasse.
Setter’s resignation highlights the precarious state of these peace efforts and the difficulty of reaching consensus in a complex and volatile regional environment. As global leaders watch closely, international pressure for a breakthrough is expected to increase amidst deepening regional instability.
