Trump Envoy Steve Witkoff Achieves Breakthrough in Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Talks After Meeting with Netanyahu

Jan 16, 2025, 06:36 AM

Steve Witkoff, the incoming Middle East envoy for U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, has played a pivotal role in advancing ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas. A tense meeting between Witkoff and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly led to a breakthrough in the talks, achieving more progress than the efforts of the outgoing Biden administration over the past year. Witkoff's involvement in the negotiations, which took place in Doha and Jerusalem over 15 months, has been credited with pushing Netanyahu to accept key compromises necessary for a deal. The urgency from Trump's team, ahead of Trump's inauguration on January 20, is said to have been instrumental in clinching the agreement, which aims to end hostilities and facilitate the release of hostages. Neither Witkoff nor Netanyahu's office responded to requests for comment.