Trump's Envoy in Israel to Secure Gaza Deal Before Inauguration, 90% Agreed

Jan 11, 2025, 10:16 AM

President-elect Donald Trump's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, has arrived in Israel to push for a Gaza hostage and ceasefire deal before Trump's inauguration on January 20. Witkoff met with Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani in Doha on Friday to discuss the latest developments in the region, particularly efforts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza. The negotiations, involving indirect talks between Israel and Hamas, are being mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States. Progress has been reported in these talks, with a senior Israeli official indicating that 90% of the points have been agreed upon, though disagreements remain over the transition from the first phase of the deal, which involves a humanitarian exchange of hostages, to the second phase. Witkoff is scheduled to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later on Saturday to further discuss the negotiations.