President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, is embarking on a critical Middle East mission to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, as the U.S. intensifies efforts to halt the escalating violence in Gaza. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce announced Tuesday that Witkoff is traveling with “strong hope” for securing a truce and establishing a new humanitarian corridor for aid, amid worsening conditions in the region.
The push follows Gaza’s deadliest day for aid-seekers in over 21 months, with at least 85 Palestinians killed Sunday while attempting to access food at the Zikim crossing, according to local reports. The Israeli army claims it fired warning shots and disputes the death toll, while the U.N. food agency accused Israeli forces of targeting civilians. Bruce called the incident “absolutely horrible,” underscoring the urgent need for a safe aid corridor as part of any agreement.
Witkoff’s trip comes after weeks of Qatar-hosted talks, which have shown minor progress but no resolution. A key obstacle remains the redeployment of Israeli troops post-ceasefire. The U.S. proposes a 60-day truce, during which Hamas would release some of the 50 hostages it holds—20 believed to be alive—in exchange for Israel freeing Palestinian prisoners and allowing a surge of humanitarian aid. Negotiations for a permanent end to the war would follow.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insists on continuing the war until Hamas is disarmed and relinquishes power, while Hamas demands guarantees that Israel will not resume fighting after the truce, as occurred after a previous ceasefire collapsed in March.
Witkoff, a real estate magnate and longtime Trump ally, faces a complex challenge in navigating these demands. Bruce remained cautiously optimistic, noting the “constantly changing dynamic” but hinting at potential breakthroughs. The envoy’s mission is seen as a critical test of Trump’s “peace through strength” approach, with hopes of stabilizing Gaza and addressing the dire humanitarian crisis.
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