U.S. President Donald Trump’s Middle East Special Envoy, Ambassador Steve Witkoff, accompanied by his son-in-law and Former Senior Advisor Jared Kushner, held high-level discussions with Israeli military officials to review and advance the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement.

U.S. Officials Visit Israel for Ceasefire Talks

During their visit to Israel, Witkoff and Kushner held meetings with Shlomi Binder, head of Military Intelligence, and Eyal Harel, chief of the IDF Planning Directorate. The talks centered on preparations for the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire, which involves deploying international forces and the disarmament of Hamas.

Israeli officials expressed continued concern over tunnels throughout the Gaza Strip, requesting that international forces assist in neutralizing them.

Addressing Regional Mediation

The U.S. delegation relayed messages from mediators Qatar, Türkiye, and Egypt, indicating that the attack in Rafah—which killed two Israeli soldiers on October 19—was “not directed or coordinated by Hamas.”

Israel, however, reiterated its demands for the expedited retrieval of Israeli soldiers’ bodies and insisted that Hamas fulfill its obligations by returning the remains.

Reconstruction Linked to Ceasefire Compliance

Reports emphasize that Gaza’s reconstruction is contingent on Hamas’s disarmament and the return of all bodies. The second stage of Trump’s peace plan calls for the deployment of an international peacekeeping force, the withdrawal of Israeli troops, and the demilitarization of Hamas.

Recent Violence Highlights Urgency

Following the Rafah incident, Israel launched several airstrikes targeting sites it claimed were linked to Hamas operations. Meanwhile, Hamas’s armed wing, the Izzeddin al-Qassam Brigades, stated they were adhering to the ceasefire and denied involvement in the Rafah attack.

The meetings in Israel underscore the delicate and ongoing negotiations aimed at sustaining the ceasefire, securing humanitarian relief, and paving the way for long-term stability in Gaza.