US President-elect Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today in an effort to press for a ceasefire deal in the Gaza Strip, Netanyahu’s office said.
After his meeting with Steve Witkoff, Netanyahu announced that he would send a high-level delegation, including the head of the Mossad, to Qatar, with the aim of giving “boost” to talks on the return of hostages held in Gaza .
The delegation also includes the head of the Shin Bet (internal security service), Gen. Nijan Alon and Netanyahu’s foreign policy adviser Ofir Falk.
Netanyahu’s decision was welcomed by the Families Forum, which represents the relatives of the hostages. Every Saturday night rallies are organized in the major cities of Israel demanding the release of the hostages.
Earlier today, an Israeli official said some progress had been made in indirect talks between Israel and Hamas, brokered by Egypt, Qatar and the US, to reach an agreement on Gaza.
Mediators are making renewed efforts to reach a deal to end fighting in the Palestinian enclave and free Israeli hostages before Trump’s January 20 inauguration. The agreement will also include the release of some Palestinians held in Israeli prisons.
The meeting with Witkoff was also attended by a representative of the outgoing US administration, Israel’s defense minister and other Israeli security officials.
