U.S. Envoy Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner Head to Egypt as Gaza ceasefire Talks Continue
CAIRO – U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are traveling to Egypt as negotiations continue toward a potential ceasefire agreement in Gaza,sources confirmed Tuesday. The move signals renewed U.S. engagement in efforts to secure a lasting resolution to the conflict, which began on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas-led terrorists attacked southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting 251.
The discussions aim to build on recent progress in Qatar-mediated talks between Israel and Hamas, with a focus on securing the release of remaining hostages and establishing a framework for a sustained ceasefire. Former President Donald Trump has indicated the potential for a broader peace agreement, stating, “This is beyond Gaza…Gaza is a big deal, but this is really peace in the Middle East.”
The current plan under discussion envisions Israel withdrawing its troops from Gaza following Hamas disarmament, and the subsequent deployment of an international security force. The territory would be placed under international governance, with Mr. Trump and former U.K. Prime minister Tony Blair potentially overseeing the transition.
Hamas has reiterated its demands for a lasting ceasefire and a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, but has not addressed the issue of disarmament. The war has resulted in at least 67,160 Palestinian deaths and nearly 170,000 wounded, according to the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry, which dose not differentiate between civilians and combatants, and reports that over half of the deaths were women and children.
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has described the situation as “a humanitarian catastrophe on a scale that defied comprehension,” and stated that Mr. TrumpS proposal “presents an opportunity that must be seized to bring this tragic conflict to an end.” A key component of the plan includes a surge in humanitarian aid to Gaza, where over 2 million Palestinians are facing hunger and, in some areas, famine.
talks held Monday in Qatar lasted approximately four hours, according to Majed al-Ansari, a spokesman for Qatar’s Foreign Ministry. Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, who also serves as the country’s minister of foreign affairs, is scheduled to join the negotiations on Wednesday.
Israel’s delegation included Gal Hirsch, coordinator for the hostages and the missing from Netanyahu’s office, while Hamas was represented by top negotiator Khalil Al-Hayya.
