Сeasefire in Gaza - Trump's special envoy names expected date

Witkoff traveled to Israel from Qatar as part of US President-elect Donald Trump's last-minute efforts to pressure all parties involved in the negotiations to reach a deal by January 20.

A senior Israeli official told Axios that earlier on Friday, Witkoff had conveyed to the Qatari prime minister at a meeting in Doha that Trump wanted to see a deal within days.

Today, at a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the special envoy emphasized that Trump's goal is to reach an agreement by January 20. Another senior Israeli official said that Witkoff emphasized Trump's Inauguration Day goal several times during consultations with Netanyahu and the Israeli negotiating team.

According to the officials, in recent days there has been a narrowing of the gaps in the negotiations between Israel and Hamas, but some problems still remain. He noted that the parties are not yet “in the zone of agreement” but are very close to it.

“There is a chance of reaching an agreement, but it is a serious challenge. The heads of the Israeli negotiating team would not have gone to Qatar if they did not think an agreement could be reached. It will be difficult, but the team will do its best to reach a deal,” the Israeli official said.

Earlier, Netanyahu's office reported that during the meeting, members of the Israeli negotiating team and US President Joe Biden's Middle East adviser, Brett McGurk, who is in Doha, took part in a conference call to discuss the status of the talks.

At the end of the meeting, Netanyahu instructed Mossad Director David Barnea, Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar, and IDF General Nitzan Alon to immediately travel to Doha to speed up the conclusion of a hostage and ceasefire agreement.

Axios writes that indirect talks between Israel and Hamas, mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, are still ongoing in Doha. American officials say that McGurk and Witkoff are coordinating their efforts.

It is known that about 98 hostages are still being held by Hamas in Gaza, including 7 Americans. According to Israeli intelligence, about half of the hostages, including the three Americans, are likely still alive.

If an agreement is reached, the first phase could involve the release of 33 hostages - some of them still alive and some dead.

The first phase is also expected to include a six- to seven-week ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, including those who killed Israelis.

The other day, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said that the Biden administration is working closely with the Trump administration to agree on the release of hostages in Gaza. He noted that this would help the new president and his team to speed up the agreement.