Witkoff, Kushner arrive in 'Israel' amid efforts to preserve Gaza ceasefire
US special envoy Steve Witkoff and top White House advisor Jared Kushner have arrived in 'Israel', Hebrew media report, as Washington pushes to prevent the fledgling ceasefire in Gaza from unraveling.
Their visit comes a day after ‘Israel’ launched strikes across the Strip, violating the ceasefire and killing at least 21 Palestinians.
Kushner and Witkoff recently revealed details of the behind-the-scenes negotiations that led to the Gaza ceasefire and the release of captives in an interview with CBS’s 60 Minutes.
Kushner emphasized that 'Israel' must improve the living conditions of Palestinians if it hopes to integrate more fully into the Middle East. “The most important message we are trying to convey to Israeli leadership now is that after the war, if Israel wants integration with the wider Middle East, it must find a way to help the Palestinian people thrive,” he said, adding that efforts to convey this message are still in early stages.
On the future of Palestinians, Kushner said the US is focused on creating shared security and economic opportunities for 'Israelis' and Palestinians to live “side by side in a stable and lasting manner.” He noted that the question of a potential Palestinian state would ultimately be determined by the Palestinians themselves.
Regarding captives, Kushner expressed his belief that Hamas is actively seeking the bodies of deceased captives and not deliberately delaying their return. He said US mediators are working with both sides to facilitate information sharing and recovery, encouraging cooperation over accusations.
Witkoff detailed the US role in negotiating the ceasefire in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. The two officials reportedly met directly with Hamas leaders, including Khalil al-Hayya, at a local hotel to finalize the truce and the captives’ release. Witkoff described President Trump’s approval of the direct talks with Hamas as “courageous,” noting that the president supported any action that could secure an agreement.
Despite the ceasefire, tensions persist
The IOF reported that southern Gaza came under attack on Sunday, with an alleged firing of an anti-tank missile and gunfire toward 'Israeli' troops in Rafah, killing two soldiers. Hamas, however, denied knowledge of any clashes in areas under 'Israeli' control. US President Trump reaffirmed that the ceasefire remains in place, though the situation underscores the fragility of the agreement.
The arrival of Kushner and Witkoff in 'Israel' signals a renewed US effort to stabilize the ceasefire and prevent further escalation between 'Israel' and Hamas.
