President-elect Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, arrived in Israel on Saturday as part of an intensified push to finalize a hostage release and ceasefire agreement in Gaza, according to Israeli officials.
Witkoff’s visit comes amid Trump’s warnings that Hamas faces severe consequences if hostages held in Gaza are not released before his inauguration on January 20. His trip follows meetings in Qatar and underscores a last-ditch effort to conclude negotiations mediated by the U.S., Qatar, and Egypt.
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“There will be hell to pay in the Middle East if Hamas does not release the hostages,” Trump has repeatedly stated on the campaign trail and in recent public remarks.
According to Al Arabiya, Hamas plans to provide a list of all Israeli hostages during the first stage of the agreement. Mediators have received a draft proposal and are awaiting Israel’s response. Sources indicate that the agreement is structured across “three time spans” and that Hamas has shown “certain flexibility,” prompting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to re-engage in the discussions.
While Hamas has not officially commented on the progress, the reported draft agreement signals potential movement after weeks of stalled negotiations.
A senior Israeli official confirmed that during Witkoff’s meeting with Qatar’s prime minister on Friday, he conveyed Trump’s demand for a deal to be finalized within days. Witkoff is expected to deliver a similar message to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a meeting later on Saturday.
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While Witkoff declined to comment on his diplomatic efforts, officials in both Israel and the U.S. have highlighted progress in the indirect talks taking place in Doha.
The ongoing discussions, facilitated by U.S. National Security Adviser Brett McGurk and Qatari mediators, center on the release of approximately 98 hostages still held by Hamas. According to Israeli intelligence, about half of the hostages are believed to be alive, including seven Americans.
The first phase of the agreement could involve the release of 33 hostages, including deceased individuals, and a six-to-seven-week ceasefire in Gaza. In exchange, hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, including those convicted of murdering Israelis, would be released.
CIA Director Bill Burns, speaking to NPR on Friday, called the conditions for hostages in Gaza “hellish” and emphasized the urgent need for compromise. “Enough is enough. Perfect is rarely on the menu in the Middle East, and it’s time to make a deal,” Burns said.
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White House spokesman John Kirby noted Friday that significant progress has been made, raising the possibility of a breakthrough before the January 20 deadline. However, he stressed that additional compromises were necessary to finalize the deal.
Israeli officials said Netanyahu is considering sending the directors of Mossad and Shin Bet intelligence agencies to Doha to assist in closing the agreement.
With tensions high and the clock ticking, all eyes are on the negotiations in Doha. Witkoff’s direct engagement reflects Trump’s resolve to secure a deal before taking office, positioning his administration as a decisive force in Middle East diplomacy.
For now, the fate of the hostages and the potential ceasefire hang in the balance, with international mediators racing to bridge remaining gaps and avert further escalation in the region.
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