DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — President Donald Trump’s special envoy arrived in Israel on Thursday to discuss the situation in Gaza. Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff arrived in Israel on Thursday afternoon. He is expected to speak with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the humanitarian situation in Gaza and a possible ceasefire, according to […]
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Trump envoy arrives in Israel to discuss a cease fire and aid
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DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — President Donald Trump’s special envoy arrived in Israel on Thursday to discuss the situation in Gaza.
Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff arrived in Israel on Thursday afternoon. He is expected to speak with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the humanitarian situation in Gaza and a possible ceasefire, according to an official who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive matters.
This is the first meeting between Witkoff and Netanyahu since both Israel and the U.S. summoned their negotiation teams home from Qatar one week ago. Witkoff said at the time Hamas’ latest response “shows a lack of desire” to reach a truce.
Hamas started the war with its attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, in which terrorists killed around 1,200 people and abducted 251 others. They still hold 50 hostages, including around 20 believed to be alive. Most of the others have been released in ceasefires or other deals.
In Jerusalem, thousands of people, including families of some of the approximately 50 hostages still being held in Gaza, demonstrated on Wednesday in front of Netanyahu’s office calling for an end to the war.
Aid trickles into Gaza
Under heavy international pressure, Israel announced a series of measures over the weekend to facilitate the entry of more international aid to Gaza, but aid workers say much more is needed.
The Israeli defense body in charge of coordinating humanitarian aid in Gaza said 270 trucks of aid entered Gaza on Wednesday, and 32 pallets of aid were airdropped into the Strip.