U.S. Envoy Steven Witkoff Heads to Israel for Key Meetings Amid Cease-fire Negotiations

In a pivotal visit, Steven Witkoff, President Trump's Middle East envoy, will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss ongoing cease-fire negotiations between Israel and Hamas, focusing on the release of hostages and facilitating further peace discussions.

Steven Witkoff, President Trump’s Middle East envoy, is set to meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel as part of critical negotiations concerning the ongoing cease-fire between Israel and Hamas. The meeting is anticipated to take place on Tuesday, with discussions centered around extending the recent cease-fire and enhancing the process for exchanging hostages and Palestinian prisoners.

Witkoff has been instrumental in facilitating the original cease-fire agreement between the two sides, collaborating closely with representatives from the Biden administration, Qatar, and Egypt in the lead-up to Trump’s inauguration. The cease-fire has now entered its tenth day, maintaining a fragile peace despite some challenges encountered last weekend.

Last Saturday, tensions escalated when Israel announced it would halt the movement of Palestinians in northern Gaza until a commitment was made for the release of Arbel Yehud, a civilian hostage. However, the dispute was resolved the following day when Hamas confirmed that both Yehud and other hostages would be released within the week. Consequently, Israel agreed to allow displaced Palestinians to return to northern Gaza starting Monday.

In addition to his discussions in Israel, Witkoff is expected to travel to Gaza during his visit to be part of an oversight team assessing the cease-fire's implementation. He highlighted the importance of ensuring the process proceeds smoothly during a recent interview with Fox News.

While Witkoff's itinerary includes activities in Gaza, it remains uncertain whether he will also engage with officials from the Palestinian Authority located in Ramallah, which holds limited autonomy in parts of the West Bank.

Reporting from Jerusalem, Adam Rasgon continues to focus on the complex dynamics of Israeli and Palestinian relations.