Witkoff, Kushner in Israel to salvage Gaza ceasefire after series of flare-ups
The Trump administration is stepping up pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to maintain the ceasefire with Hamas and begin implementing the second phase of the US president's Gaza peace plan.
US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met Monday in Jerusalem with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer as the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas teetered, with Palestinian militants firing anti-tank missiles at Israeli troops in Rafah on Sunday and killing two soldiers.
Agenda items include the return of the bodies of 16 deceased Israeli hostages still held by Hamas and advancing to the second phase of President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan to end the Gaza war. As part of the next phase, Israel would be required to fully withdraw from Gaza to be replaced by an international stabilization force to oversee Hamas' disarmament, the formation of a Palestinian technocratic government and the Strip's reconstruction.
Shuttle diplomacy
Witkoff and Kushner are also scheduled to meet later in the day with families of hostages at Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square.
