‘Before Jan…’ Netanyahu Crumbles Under Trump Pressure? Rushes Team To Qatar For Hostage Deal | Hamas
Steve Witkoff, the US President-elect Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy, arrived in Israel on January 11 to push for progress in ceasefire and hostage-release negotiations. During his visit, Witkoff met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following his trip to Qatar, which is mediating talks between Hamas and Israel. According to Israeli officials cited by Axios, Witkoff emphasised the need for a deal before Trump’s inauguration on January 20. Netanyahu, after consulting with top Israeli security officials and President Biden’s Middle East adviser, dispatched a high-level delegation to Qatar to continue the talks amid reports of “cautious progress.” Meanwhile, Hamas claimed a deal had been reached but awaited Netanyahu’s approval. Protesters in Tel Aviv called for immediate action on the hostage crisis, while Elon Musk sparked debate by suggesting Gaza should be reconstructed akin to post-WWII Japan. n18oc_world n18oc_crux
