President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, highlighted the recent Gaza ceasefire deal during a rally in Washington, DC. He shared that the first three hostages had been released by Hamas and its allies, with more to follow in the coming weeks. The freed hostages were identified as Romi Gonen, Doron Steinbrecher, and Emily Damari.
Witkoff credited President Trump for his role in facilitating the release, emphasizing the collaborative efforts of both the Trump and Biden teams in negotiating the deal. A senior Biden administration official acknowledged the unprecedented cooperation between the two teams, which was made possible by a shared interest in seizing an opportunity following Trump’s victory.
Brett McGurk, a key negotiator for President Biden, had been strategically positioned in Qatar for weeks, working towards a final agreement. Witkoff joined McGurk in the final stages of negotiations, with both diplomats engaging in crucial meetings across the Middle East to advance the ceasefire deal.
Noteworthy discussions took place between Witkoff and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with McGurk participating remotely to ensure progress. The successful outcome of the negotiations was attributed to the combined efforts of the Trump and Biden administrations, signaling a rare moment of unity in addressing the complex dynamics of the Middle East.
