US Envoy Leads Delegation to Cairo for Peace Talks
WASHINGTON – US envoy Steve Witkov is heading to Cairo to kick off discussions with negotiators from Israel and Hamas. The main focus is on the immediate release of all hostages following nearly two years of conflict in Gaza.
A White House official mentioned that “Steve Witkov and Jared Kushner will travel to Egypt later today to finalize technical details regarding the hostage release and to discuss a lasting peace agreement.”
In a statement shared on social media, Trump expressed gratitude for Israel’s temporary halt in bombing activities aimed at facilitating the release of hostages and advancing the peace agreement. He emphasized the urgency for Hamas, stating, “They need to act quickly; otherwise, the situation could deteriorate.” He insisted on taking swift action to prevent further threats from Gaza.
Reports suggest that the ongoing summit marks the beginning of President Trump’s 21-point peace plan, with pivotal support noted from both sides of the conflict. An Israeli official recently stated that the remaining 48 hostages may be released “within a few days.”
Witkov, an envoy to the Middle East, is already involved in negotiations that have resulted in the release of all American hostages. Kushner, married to Ivanka Trump, played a significant role in Middle Eastern diplomacy during Trump’s first term.
Kushner and his team were instrumental in brokering the 2020 Abraham Agreement, which normalized relations between Israel and several Arab nations, a notable success attributed to Trump’s diplomatic efforts.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office reiterated plans to implement the first phase of the Trump peace plan, emphasizing the immediate release of all hostages.
Trump expressed optimism over the situation, suggesting that Hamas might be “ready for lasting peace.” He also stressed that the safety of hostages is a priority, commenting, “It’s a big day; we need specifics.”
Yet, Senator Lindsey Graham, a close ally of Trump, expressed skepticism about the willingness of terrorist groups to adhere to the peace terms. He noted a lack of disarmament and questioned the feasibility of Palestinian control in Gaza as part of the negotiations.
Musa Abu Malzuk, the head of Qatar’s Hamas Foreign Relations Office, described Trump’s demands for a rapid release of hostages as “theoretical and unrealistic” under current conditions. He hoped for a constructive outcome but stressed the necessity for thorough negotiation.
Hamas confirmed it has accepted a peace framework proposed by Egypt but emphasized that more discussions are needed for clarification. Representatives from Witkov’s team and Netanyahu’s office have not provided further comments on the developments.
