Trump envoy optimistic about Gaza ceasefire as US prepares new terms
US special envoy Steve Witkoff said he had "good feelings" about prospects for a temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration’s envoy to the Middle East expressed optimism about achieving a temporary truce in the Gaza Strip, saying Wednesday that the United States is preparing terms for a deal.
"I think that we are on the precipice of sending out a new term sheet that hopefully will be delivered later on today,” Steve Witkoff told reporters in the Oval Office. “I have some very good feelings about getting to a long-term resolution — temporary ceasefire."
Witkoff spoke hours after Hamas issued a statement saying it reached a framework agreement with the US envoy that would establish a permanent ceasefire and the full withdrawal of Israeli troops in return for the release of 10 Israeli hostages and the remains of an unspecified number of deceased captives.
Speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive talks, a US official said Washington was “not going to comment or respond to terrorist Hamas claims."
