US envoy heading to Middle East
Trump aide Steve Witkoff will be attending talks that aim to finalise a “corridor” for aid to war-ravaged Gaza, the US State Department says.
Witkoff, the administration’s special envoy, is travelling to the region with “a strong hope that we will come forward with another ceasefire as well as a humanitarian corridor for aid to flow, that both sides have in fact agreed to,” State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce told reporters during a news briefing.
Where do Gaza truce talks stand?
The sides have held weeks of talks in Qatar and report small signs of progress but no major breakthroughs. Officials said a main sticking point is the redeployment of Israeli troops after any ceasefire takes place.
The US plan calls for a 60-day truce, during which Hamas would release some captives while Israel would free Palestinian prisoners and allow a surge of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
During the 60 days, the sides are also to begin negotiations on a permanent end to the war. Netanyahu has promised to continue the war until Hamas yields power and is disarmed while Hamas has said it will not release all of the captives until the war is over.
It is seeking assurances that Netanyahu will not resume the war after the 60 days as he did in March after a two-month ceasefire.
Hamas is holding 50 captives – 20 of whom are believed to still be alive.
