IDAN KWELLER

Idan Kweller is the diplomatic correspondent for the Hebrew news site, Walla.


Members of the United Nations Security Council vote on a resolution by Russia and China to delay by six months the reimposition of sanctions on Iran during the 80th UN General Assembly in New York City, US, September 26, 2025

UN General Assembly adopts resolution demanding Israel cooperate with UNRWA

 (Illustrative) TURNING POINT USA executive director Charlie Kirk speaks at US President Donald Trump’s Inauguration Day ceremony at the Capital One Arena in Washington on January 20, 2025.

Israel adopting messaging reforms, following Charlie Kirk's warning in final letter to Netanyahu

A poster of Hadar Goldin hanging among cards with messages for Gaza hostages, Hostage Square, Tel Aviv, October 28, 2025.

US offered Hamas safe passage to return Hadar Goldin - report


Iranian plot to kill Israel's ambassador to Mexico contained, US official says

Mexican authorities thwarted an attempted attack on Ambassador Einat Kranz-Neiger.

Israel's Ambassador to Mexico, Einat Kranz Neiger.

Trump: 'Rogue elements, not Hamas leadership,' behind recent attack on IDF in Gaza

Vance also cautioned that “there is currently no existing security infrastructure to guarantee Hamas’s disarmament.”

US President Donald Trump looks on while speaking to members of the media as he flies from Florida to Joint Base Andrews en route to Washington, aboard Air Force One, US, October 19, 2025

Hamas 'returns' body of Gazan who cooperated with IDF in place of fallen hostage

Israeli sources have estimated that this was a mistake, as the body belonged to a Gazan man in an IDF uniform, who was suspected to be a fighter killed in the war.

IDF troops receive remains of killed hostages at official ceremony, October 14, 2025.

Marwan Barghouti not included in hostage, prisoner exhange deal, PMO confirms

The deal will not include the release of four high-profile Palestinian prisoners long sought by Hamas in negotiations: Marwan Barghouti, Ahmad Sa’adat, Hassan Salameh, and Abbas al-Sayed.

 MARWAN BARGHOUTI is brought into court by police for his judgment hearing in May 2004, at which he was convicted on five counts of murder in terrorist attacks.

Witkoff, negotiators en route to Cairo as Hamas sends delegation for Gaza deal talks - report

Hostage and ceasefire deal negotiations are expected to begin on Sunday, with both sides reportedly preparing withdrawal maps.

US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff talks to hostage family members on August 2, 2025.

Palestinian mediator: Trump's Gaza deal marks end of war, could release hostages

“I can see before my eyes the end of the war and the release of all the hostages,” American-Palestinian mediator Bishara Bahbah told Walla.

Bishara Bahbah in a January 2024 interview/

Trump's Gaza ultimatum: 'Three to four days' to accept peace plan

If Hamas rejects the plan, "Israel will do what it has to do," Trump added.

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump over a background of Hamas members.

The landmines in Trump’s plan: How the deal could collapse - analysis

The Trump agreement includes dozens of steps, but faces major obstacles: disputes over prisoner and hostage releases, international oversight, the future of Hamas, and Gaza’s fate.

U.S. President Donald Trump meets Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House in Washington, DC, US, September 29, 2025.

What do Israel and Hamas gain from Trump’s plan? - explainer

For Israel, the price would be releasing hundreds of security prisoners, relinquishing direct control in Gaza and depending on an international mechanism.

US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hold a joint press conference in the State Dining Room at the White House, in Washington, DC, US, September 29, 2025

Trump-Netanyahu meeting: US ramping up pressure for end of war, Israel eyes West Bank annexation

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump will meet on Monday, but the two have very different topics in mind.

 US President Donald Trump and Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu walk together during Netanyahu's visit to Washington, February 5, 2025