Israeli report: US focuses on the day after Gaza instead of ending the war

Despite pressure from Qatar and Egypt to push Washington toward a deal to recover prisoners and secure a ceasefire in Gaza, the US administration is currently focusing on the so-called “day after the war” — plans for reconstruction and investment — rather than on immediately ending the fighting, according to the Israel Hayom newspaper.

At a White House meeting on Wednesday attended by the US president and led by Tony Blair, the former British prime minister, and his son-in-law Kushner, participants agreed to continue refining the post-war plan and their visions for rebuilding the devastated Strip from an economic and investment perspective, without discussing the future of Gazans displaced by the ongoing assault and without addressing a halt to the war.

A senior Egyptian official said that despite efforts by Cairo and Doha, no tangible results had been achieved with Washington, noting that the US administration insists that “the continued presence of a Hamas force in Gaza cannot be accepted.”

For his part, the Qatari prime minister stressed that Doha and Cairo remain committed to finding a solution despite their efforts being overlooked, and that they are awaiting a response from the Israeli side after intensive efforts in recent days to craft a common basis for an agreement that would include the release of hostages and the establishment of a ceasefire.