Donald Trump's incoming Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff held a key meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Saturday. Now Arab officials say this has reportedly helped in finalising the ceasefire deal with Hamas.
Witkoff did more to persuade Netanyahu in a single meeting than what US President Joe Biden could do in the past year, The Times of Israel quoted two Arab officials as saying.
🚨 HOLY SH*T
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) January 7, 2025
Trump's Middle Eastern Envoy Steve Witkoff was just asked if they are sure there will be a Gaza hostage deal by January 20th.
Trump interrupts: "There better be."
"If those hostages aren't back by the time I get into office - ALL H*LL WILL BREAK OUT. It will not… pic.twitter.com/rqZTCm0YVl
Trump's incoming envoy urged Netanyahu to make necessary compromises to reach a deal. The three-phase hostage and ceafire agreement is almost the same as the proposal put forth by Israel in May.
Witkoff's meeting with Netanyahu came after he held a meeting with Qatar Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. He has been camping in Doha for a week to take part in the negotiations, which are also mediated by Egypt and Qatar.
It is my honor to work for President @realDonaldTrump and the USA in the most worthy endeavor of my life. President Trump’s strength and leadership will be a signal to all to bring the hostages home and peace to the region. Thank God for his election. @EricTrump @DonaldJTrumpJr https://t.co/ql0XJrjr8b
— Steve Witkoff (@SteveWitkoff) January 8, 2025
The mediators are currently waiting for Israel to lay out a map that shows the exact details of IDF withdrawal from Gaza.
Who is Steve Witkoff?
Steve Witkoff who was Trump's golfing partner and was with him during the second assassination attempt on the president-elect has close ties with the oil-rich nations in the Middle East. He will replace Biden's Middle East envoy Brett McGurk on January 20 when Trump takes over as US president.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday said Israel accepted the deal to return the remaining hostages. The US has claimed in the past the Hamas had been blocking the negotiations but the Arab officials said Israel also did the same several times.
The first phase will will last 42 days will see release of 33 women, children, the elderly and the sick in exchange of around 1,000 Palestinian security prisoners. Israel will also withdraw from partially, allowing entry of 600 humanitarian aid trucks into Gaza.
In the second stage, all remaining living hostages will be released, following which they will declare a permanent end to hostilities.
