An Israeli official said that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has appointed a close confidant to lead negotiations for the second stage of the ceasefire with Hamas. The US-born Ron Dermer is a Cabinet minister who’s widely seen as Netanyahu’s closest adviser.

He previously served as Israel’s ambassador to the US and is a former Republican activist with strong ties to the Trump White House. He currently serves as Israel’s strategic affairs minister, and has been a key player in relations with US and Gulf Arab nations.