On Saturday, U.S. President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy informed families of hostages held by the Palestinian militant group Hamas that he is working on a joint plan with the Israeli government aimed at ending the conflict in Gaza.
While ending the conflict remains a key priority for the Trump administration, progress in negotiations has stalled. Steve Witkoff is visiting Israel amid increasing pressure over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Witkoff stated, “We are working on a very good plan together with the Israeli government under the leadership of Prime Minister Netanyahu. This plan envisions the reconstruction of Gaza and the effective end of the war.”
The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment on his remarks.
Witkoff also said that Hamas is prepared to disarm to end the war, although Hamas has repeatedly stated it will not relinquish its weapons.
The group declared that it would only cease “armed resistance” once “an independent and fully sovereign Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital” is established.
Indirect negotiations between Hamas and Israel, aimed at securing a 60-day ceasefire and the release of half the hostages, ended in deadlock last week.
On Saturday, Hamas released a second video of Israeli hostage Evyatar David. In the footage, David, visibly weakened, is shown digging a grave for himself.
David’s brother told a rally in Tel Aviv supporting the hostages that they are “on the brink of death” and may have only days left to live.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said, “The world cannot remain silent in the face of the deliberate torture of the hostages, including the starvation they are enduring.”
Witkoff visited Israel on Thursday amid global outcry over the destruction and growing hunger in Gaza under Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government.
Senior Israeli officials say an understanding is emerging between Israel and the US that the plan to end the war must move beyond releasing some hostages to include freeing all hostages, disarming Hamas, and demilitarising the Gaza Strip.
The situation in Gaza remains dire. Qatar and Egypt are mediating ceasefire efforts and have endorsed a declaration by France and Saudi Arabia outlining steps toward a two-state solution. This includes Hamas handing over its weapons to the Western-backed Palestinian Authority.
In recent weeks, many have died from food shortages in Gaza. UN agencies say that Israel’s air-dropped aid is insufficient and are pressing Israel to increase land-based assistance.
The Gaza conflict began on 7 October 2023 when Hamas launched an attack on southern Israel, killing more than 1,200 people and taking 251 hostage. Israel’s counter-offensive has since killed over 60,000 Palestinians.
Currently, around 50 hostages remain in Gaza, with only 20 believed to be alive.
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U.S. skiing great Lindsey Vonn underwent surgery in an Italian hospital on Sunday after her attempt to win Olympic downhill gold ended in a violent crash just seconds into the race at the Milano Cortina Winter Games.
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Venezuelan authorities said they were seeking court approval to put prominent opposition politician Juan Pablo Guanipa under house arrest on Sunday, shortly after he was seized by armed men in Caracas in what his son called a kidnapping.
Hong Kong’s most prominent media tycoon Jimmy Lai was sentenced on Monday (9 February) to a total of 20 years in prison on national security charges. The verdict covers two counts of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and one count related to publishing seditious materials.
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