US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday in an attempt to revive stalled Gaza ceasefire talks and discuss the deepening humanitarian crisis in the enclave, where observers say famine is spreading rapidly. This was reported by Reuters, reports BTA.
Shortly after Witkoff's arrival, President Donald Trump published a message on his social network "Truth Social", in which he stated:
„The fastest way to end the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is for Hamas to SURRENDER AND FREE THE HOSTAGES!“
Witkoff's visit coincides with increasing international pressure on the Netanyahu government over the large-scale destruction in Gaza and severe restrictions on humanitarian access.
After the meeting, a senior Israeli official said that a common understanding was emerging between the United States and Israel that a move should be made from a partial release of hostages to a full package: the release of all hostages, the disarmament of Hamas fighters and the demilitarization of the strip Gaza.
No specific details of the plan were provided, but it is seen as a transition from a limited ceasefire to a broader and more sustainable agreement. The official added that the United States and Israel would work to increase humanitarian aid amid the ongoing fighting.
Witkoff is expected to visit Gaza today to inspect food and other aid supplies while finalizing a plan to expedite supplies to the area, the White House said.
“The special envoy and the ambassador will brief the president immediately after their visit to approve the final plan for distributing food and aid to the area,“ White House spokeswoman Caroline Levitt told reporters.
Later on Wednesday, when asked about comments by his political ally Marjorie Taylor Greene, who described the Israeli offensive as genocide, Trump said:
“Oh, it's terrible what's happening there. Yes, it's a terrible thing. "People are very hungry," he said, noting the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza.
Meanwhile, indirect ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas in Doha reached an impasse last week. Both sides have blamed each other for the failure, particularly on issues such as the extent and terms of Israel's military withdrawal from Gaza.