Trump's Envoy Considers Gaza Visit as Three Hostages Freed

Jan 19, 2025, 04:45 AM

Steve Witkoff, the Middle East envoy for President-elect Donald Trump, is considering a visit to the Gaza Strip to oversee the implementation of a fragile ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. The ceasefire, which began on Sunday, is structured in three phases, with the first phase lasting six weeks and involving the release of hostages held by Hamas and Palestinian detainees held by Israel. On the first day, three Israeli women were among the hostages released. Witkoff plans to be a near-constant presence in the region to ensure the agreement holds and to address any potential disruptions. The ceasefire deal also includes plans for long-term stability, rebuilding Gaza, and addressing the humanitarian crisis affecting two million displaced Palestinians. Discussions are ongoing about the temporary relocation of Gazans, with Indonesia mentioned as a potential host country. The deal follows months of negotiations mediated by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt, and has been credited to Trump's administration. Hamas has attributed the agreement to Trump's efforts. Witkoff's directive from Trump was clear: secure the release of hostages or explain why it could not be achieved. The deadline for achieving the agreement was January 20, the day of Trump's inauguration.