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Trump’s Envoy Pushes for Ceasefire and Hostage Resolution in Gaza
Diplomatic Efforts to Secure Hostage Deal and Ceasefire
Steve Witkoff, President-elect Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy, will meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday following his visit to Doha. The meeting is part of ongoing efforts to reach a deal for a ceasefire in Gaza and to secure the release of Israeli hostages.
Progress in Indirect Talks with Hamas
A second Israeli official confirmed that some progress had been made in indirect talks between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas. These talks are being mediated by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States. The goal is to halt the fighting in Gaza and free the remaining Israeli hostages before Trump’s inauguration on January 20.
Witkoff’s Visit to Doha and Assurances from the U.S.
Witkoff arrived in Doha on Friday, where he met with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. According to Egyptian security sources, Witkoff reassured mediators that the U.S. would continue working toward a fair deal to end the conflict soon, though he did not provide specific details.
Ongoing Violence in Gaza
The violence in Gaza continues as Israeli airstrikes target militant sites. On Saturday, the Palestinian civil emergency service reported that eight people, including two women and two children, were killed in an airstrike on a former school in Jabalia, in northern Gaza. The Israeli military stated that the strike targeted Hamas militants operating at the school while attempting to minimize civilian casualties.
Later, five more people were killed in two separate Israeli airstrikes. One of the strikes targeted a house near Gaza City’s Daraj neighborhood, killing three people.
The Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
The conflict began in October 2023, when Hamas fighters attacked Israel, resulting in 1,200 deaths and more than 250 hostages taken. Since then, over 46,000 people have been killed in Gaza, according to Palestinian health officials. Much of Gaza has been destroyed, leaving its population displaced and enduring a severe humanitarian crisis.