Trump's hostage pointman joins crowds at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv to watch chaotic release of three Israelis, five Thais The post Witkoff meets freed soldiers, ex-hostages, officials, stresses commitment to full deal appeared first on The Times of Israel.

Trump sent Witkoff to ensure the ceasefire agreement advances to the second phase, which will require hashing out more thorny questions about Gaza’s future.

US special envoy Steve Witkoff met today with the freed hostages and heard their appeals that the USA continue to work to free those still held by Hamas.

Syria’s de facto leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, on Wednesday abolished the country’s constitution and declared himself president during a meeting of armed factions in Damascus.

The real estate magnate-turned-diplomat reflects on his son's death as he travels to Israel to oversee implementation of Gaza ceasefire.

Steve Witkoff, President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy, said on Wednesday that he welcomed the potential for “a dialogue” with Hamas and heaped praise on Qatar for helping facilitate the cease-fire deal between Israel and Gaza, despite facing scrutiny for previous ties to the Gulf nation.

This trip comes as negotiations for the second phase of the truce between Israel and Hamas are set to begin, with the US envoy to the Middle East expressing optimism going forward

Steve Witkoff visited the enclave to oversee the implementation of a fragile cease-fire between Israel and Hamas.

U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff visited Gaza on Wednesday before meeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as efforts to solidify a ceasefire and advance regional diplomacy continue. His visit,

Israel and Hamas are set to carry out their third exchange of hostages and prisoners on Thursday as part of a ceasefire agreement that has halted fighting in the Gaza Strip. Hamas is due to release three Israelis and five Thai citizens. Israel is releasing 110 Palestinian prisoners.

Israel is scheduled to free 110 Palestinians, including 30 children, from its prisons, after Hamas said it had released three Israelis and five Thai nationals held hostage in Gaza since October 7, 2023.