Steve Witkoff, the Middle East envoy for US President-elect Donald Trump, met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday. They discussed efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza. Netanyahu’s office confirmed the meeting.
Following the talks, Netanyahu sent a senior delegation, including Mossad’s head, to Qatar. The goal was to advance negotiations on returning hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.
Progress in negotiations with mediators
Israeli officials reported progress in indirect talks between Israel and Hamas. Egypt, Qatar, and the US mediate these discussions. They aim to reach an agreement in Gaza.
Mediators are working to secure a ceasefire and release Israeli hostages before Trump takes office on 20 January. They also hope to secure the release of some Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum Headquarters welcomed Netanyahu’s decision. They called it a “historic opportunity.”
Civilian casualties and humanitarian impact
Witkoff arrived in Doha on Friday and met Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. Qatar’s foreign ministry confirmed the meeting.
Witkoff reassured Egyptian and Qatari mediators that the US would continue working toward a fair deal. However, he did not provide specific details.
In October 2023, Hamas militants launched an attack that killed over 1,200 people and took more than 250 hostages, according to Israeli reports.
Since then, Palestinian health officials report that more than 46,000 people have died in Gaza. The violence has left the region in ruin, creating a severe humanitarian crisis.
On Saturday, the Palestinian Civil Emergency Service reported that eight people died in an Israeli airstrike in Jabalia. Two women and two children were among the dead.
The Israeli military explained that they targeted Hamas militants in the area. They also stated that measures were taken to minimise harm to civilians.
Later on, the Gaza Civil Emergency Service confirmed another strike. It resulted in five deaths and several injuries. Three people died in a house near Gaza City’s Daraj neighbourhood.
The Israeli military confirmed they had targeted a Hamas operative in that location.
