Trump's Envoy Presses Netanyahu for Gaza Deal: Can Ceasefire Push Succeed Before Inauguration?

As the clock ticks down to the U.S. presidential inauguration on Jan. 20, Donald Trump's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, is pushing for a ceasefire deal in Gaza before the transition of power. Witkoff's efforts come as Israel and Hamas engage in indirect talks mediated by the United States, Egypt, and Qatar, with the aim of securing a phased ceasefire and hostage release deal.

Witkoff, a real estate investor and Trump campaign donor with business ties to Qatar and other Gulf states, has been meeting with key players in the region to broker a deal. His meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani have been crucial in advancing the negotiations.



The proposed deal involves a phased ceasefire, with the first phase focusing on a partial hostage release in exchange for a weekslong halt in fighting. Netanyahu has signaled his commitment to this initial phase, while Hamas has insisted on a full Israeli troop withdrawal from the largely devastated territory. However, the envoy's proposals may include a compromise on troop withdrawal, as he works to find a solution that satisfies both parties.



The talks have been ongoing for nearly 15 months, with only one brief ceasefire achieved in the earliest weeks of fighting. The mediators have been working to reach a deal that addresses the immediate humanitarian concerns of both sides, including the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners. The families of the roughly 100 Israeli hostages still held in Gaza are pressing Netanyahu to reach a deal to bring their loved ones home, while Hamas seeks the release of Palestinian prisoners as part of any agreement.

The envoy's push for a ceasefire deal comes as the war in Gaza has resulted in over 46,000 Palestinian deaths, according to Palestinian health officials. The conflict has also displaced most of Gaza's population and left the territory in a humanitarian crisis. The talks have been repeatedly stalled, but there is renewed optimism that a deal can be reached before the U.S. presidential inauguration.

In conclusion, Trump's envoy, Steve Witkoff, is pressing Netanyahu for a Gaza deal as part of a ceasefire push that aims to succeed before the presidential inauguration. The proposed deal involves a phased ceasefire, with the first phase focusing on a partial hostage release in exchange for a weekslong halt in fighting. The negotiations are mediated by the United States, Egypt, and Qatar, with the aim of addressing the immediate humanitarian concerns of both sides. The talks have been repeatedly stalled, but there is renewed optimism that a deal can be reached before the U.S. presidential inauguration.