WASHINGTON—Special envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff is heading to Qatar to negotiate a hostage deal between Israel and Hamas, a White House official told The Epoch Times.
This development comes as the fate of negotiations to achieve the second phase of a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas hangs in the balance.
A temporary cease-fire was reached shortly before President Donald Trump entered office on Jan. 20.
It resulted in 33 hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza being released in exchange for thousands of Palestinians who were imprisoned in Israel.
Both sides expressed optimism over the upcoming talks.
“Israel has accepted the invitation of the mediators backed by the United States and will send a delegation to Doha on Monday in an effort to advance the negotiations,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said on March 8.
Hamas expressed that there are “positive indicators” for negotiating the second part of the months-long cease-fire.
“We affirm our readiness to engage in the second-phase negotiations in a way that meets the demands of our people, and we call for intensified efforts to aid the Gaza Strip and lift the blockade on our suffering people,” said Hamas spokesperson Abdel-Latif al-Qanoua in a statement.
Whether Israel and Hamas will hold direct talks is to be determined.
On March 9, Witkoff said Hamas cannot be allowed to stay in Gaza.
“If they leave, then all things are on the table for a negotiated peace, and that’s what they’ll need to do,” he told Fox News. “We need deadlines.”
Witkoff said the Trump administration has “interviewed all the hostages who have been released“ and that the conditions they were in were ”deplorable.”
“They’re sick. They haven’t eaten,“ he said. ”They haven’t been given medical care.”
Hamas took 251 hostages on Oct. 7, 2023, when the terrorist group attacked Israel in what resulted in the largest single-day massacre of Jews since the Holocaust. More than 1,200 Israelis died.
The United States recently met directly with Hamas to get hostages out of Gaza. The U.S. representative, special envoy for hostage affairs Adam Boehler, said the talks were “very helpful.”
“I think there is a deal where they can get all of the prisoners out, not just the Americans,” he added.
However, no deal was made.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump issued a “last warning” to Hamas to release the remaining hostages.
“'Shalom Hamas’ means Hello and Goodbye—You can choose. Release all of the Hostages now, not later, and immediately return all of the dead bodies of the people you murdered, or it is OVER for you.
“Also, to the People of Gaza: A beautiful Future awaits, but not if you hold Hostages.
“Release the hostages now, or there will be hell to pay later!” he added in all caps.
