US President-elect Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steven Witkoff, worked to secure a Gaza ceasefire and the release of Israeli hostages, holding talks with officials before Trump returned to the White House.
Witkoff, a New York real estate investor, met with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani last month. Al-Thani has mediated talks between Hamas and Israel. A day later, Witkoff met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Mossad chief David Barnea, Israel’s lead negotiator, subsequently met with the Qatari prime minister in Vienna.
Trump has demanded the hostages’ release by his January 20 inauguration. He said on Truth Social, “There will be ALL HELL TO PAY in the Middle East” if they are not released. Hamas holds around 100 hostages in Gaza, and it is believed over a third have died.
Witkoff’s discussions focused on ending the 14-month war between Israel and Hamas and securing the release of the remaining hostages. A diplomat stated Witkoff aims for a ceasefire “before Trump’s inauguration so that once the Trump administration takes office it can move on to other issues, like stabilising the region after a year filled with war and instability”.
The Gaza conflict began with Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Officials report 1,200 people were killed and 250 taken hostage. Gaza health officials report at least 44,500 Palestinian deaths from Israel’s offensive.
Hamas seeks a permanent ceasefire and Israeli troop withdrawal from Gaza. Netanyahu’s coalition opposes these conditions. Cabinet members have threatened to leave the government if he agrees to end the war before achieving “total victory.”
Israel has offered a 60-day ceasefire and softened its stance on releasing some Palestinian prisoners. In November 2023, Israel exchanged hundreds of Palestinians for dozens of hostages.
Qatar, which previously hosted Hamas’s political office, and Egypt have been key mediators. Qatar suspended its role in October due to the lack of compromise.