President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy said the US and Israel were close to a “very, very good plan” to end the war in Gaza and free the remaining hostages.
Steve Witkoff, who is in the region to discuss a cease-fire deal and humanitarian crisis in Gaza, told the families of the captives that their plight would soon be over — despite both the US and Israel pulling back from the peace talks with Hamas earlier this month.
“We have a very, very good plan that we’re working on collectively with the Israeli government, with Prime Minister Netanyahu … for the reconstruction of Gaza. That effectively means the end of the war,” Witkoff said.
President Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff met with families of Israelis held hostage by Palestinian militants. AFP via Getty ImagesWitkoff did not offer further details or clarify what he meant regarding the future of Gaza.
The fate of who rules Gaza after the war has been a major sticking point — with Israel refusing to allow Hamas to stay in power, or for the Palestinian Liberation Organization to take over.
The Jewish state has repeatedly pushed for a plan to gather Gaza’s nearly 2 million refugee population inside a single settlement while its military occupies the enclave, with options to relocate the people to other countries.
Witkoff also claimed Hamas was prepared to disarm, per Israel’s demands, in order to achieve a cease-fire deal.
The terror group, however, has repeatedly rejected any terms that would see them demilitarize or cede power from Gaza, which they have controlled for nearly 20 years.
Families Israeli hostages demonstrated in Tel Aviv’s “Hostage” square during Witkoff’s visit. AFP via Getty Images
Hamas forced emaciated Israeli hostage Evyatar David to dig his own grave in a recent propaganda video. Al-Qassam Brigade FootageWitkoff’s visit comes after he pulled his team from Qatar on July 24 after accusing Hamas of negotiating in bad faith.
Israel also called on its negotiators to return home, sparking fears from the families of the 20 remaining living hostages in Gaza that their loved ones would have to endure more horrors under Hamas.
The US is now reportedly working on a new cease-fire deal that would see the release of all the hostages in return for an end to the war.
It remains to be seen if such a deal will go through as both the US and Israel are still calling for Hamas to demilitarize.
This poster showed a portrait of David before the Oct. 7, 2023 attack. AFP via Getty Images
US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff and US Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee visited the the Gaza Strip on Thursday. via REUTERS
Israeli forces have killed hundreds of hungry Palestinians waiting for aid outside US-backed food distribution points, the UN’s rights office said, AFP via Getty ImagesFears over the hostages’ conditions spiked over the weekend after Hamas released harrowing video of Evyatar David, who was seen emaciated inside a tunnel network and appeared forced to dig his own grave with a shovel.
While the US and Israel work on their own cease-fire deal, mediators in Qatar and Egypt are working with France and Saudi Arabia on a proposal to end the war via a two-state solution.
France, which said it will formally recognize the state of Palestine in September, said the proposal seeks terms for the Western-backed Palestinian Authority to return to Gaza and serve as its ruler.
The deal would see a reformed PA take Hamas’ weapons and establish order as an independent state.
With Post wires
