Hamas ready to demilitarize but hostage deal still stalled, Witkoff says
Photo: Trump's Special Envoy Steve Witkoff (Getty Images)
Trump's Special Envoy Steve Witkoff said Hamas talks about readiness for demilitarization. However, there is no news on progress in negotiations for the release of hostages, reports The Times of Israel.
According to The Times of Israel, Witkoff spoke with families of the hostages and told them:
"I hear your frustration. I understand that you want them home; part of the reason I am in this work is because I lost a child. I know what it is to lose a child. I wish that I had news for you. But the situation is complicated. There are many reasons that I cannot detail. Hamas is a terrorist organization," Witkoff said.
The Trump special envoy also said ending the ongoing war requires Hamas's demilitarization. He added, "Hamas said that it is ready to demilitarize."
"Beyond this, some Arab countries are demanding that Hamas disarm," the media quoted him.
Witkoff emphasized that President Donald Trump deeply cares about the hostages and is committed to bringing them all home.
"Hamas looks as if it is not standing by its word. The negotiations with it were frustrating, and now we think we should do all or nothing," he added.
Witkoff's visit to Gaza
Yesterday, Trump's Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee visited Gaza.
After the visit, Witkoff said he spent five hours there to assess the situation and help Trump develop a humanitarian aid plan.
"The purpose of the visit was to give US President Donald Trump a clear understanding of the humanitarian situation and help craft a plan to deliver food and medical aid to the people of Gaza," Witkoff wrote in a post.
