Daijiworld Media Network – Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv, Jan 13: In a significant diplomatic development, US President-elect Donald Trump's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday. The meeting comes amidst escalating efforts to broker a ceasefire in Gaza and secure the release of hostages held by Hamas.
Following the discussions, Netanyahu sent a high-level delegation, including Mossad intelligence chief David Barnea, to Qatar to advance negotiations. The primary focus of these talks is to secure the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza, with Hamas reportedly holding more than 250 individuals. Netanyahu's office described the move as a ‘historic opportunity’ to resolve the issue.
Indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas, mediated by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States, are reportedly making progress. Mediators are pushing to finalize a deal before Trump assumes office on January 20. The potential agreement is expected to include a ceasefire, the release of hostages, and the exchange of Palestinian prisoners detained in Israeli jails.
Steve Witkoff's visit to Doha, where he met Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, underscored the US commitment to facilitating peace in the region. According to Egyptian security sources, Witkoff assured mediators that the US would support efforts for a fair resolution but withheld specific details.
The conflict, which began in October 2023, has resulted in widespread devastation. Over 46,000 people have been killed in Gaza, according to Palestinian health officials, while Israel cites over 1,200 casualties from the initial Hamas attack. The ongoing violence has displaced the majority of Gaza's population, creating a severe humanitarian crisis.
On Saturday, the Gaza Civil Emergency Service reported multiple airstrikes by Israel, which resulted in civilian casualties. Israel maintained that the strikes targeted Hamas militants and that precautionary measures were taken to minimize civilian harm.
As diplomatic efforts intensify, families of the hostages have expressed cautious optimism, hoping that this "historic opportunity" will bring closure to the crisis. The global community continues to monitor the situation closely, as the region grapples with the devastating toll of the conflict.