US Mideast envoy arrives in Israel for Gaza ceasefire talks

ISTANBUL

US Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem on Thursday for Gaza ceasefire talks, Israeli media said.

The public broadcaster KAN reported that the meeting took place at Netanyahu’s office, without providing details about the content of the talks.

Witkoff arrived in Israel early Thursday for talks with Israeli officials on finalizing a Gaza ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement with Hamas.

The US envoy is expected to visit aid distribution sites run by the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation in the Gaza Strip, according to the Yedioth Ahronoth daily.

Writing on his X account, Israeli President Isaac Herzog called Witkoff’s visit “a vital and critical effort that must not be missed” to reach a ceasefire and hostage deal.

Rejecting international calls for a ceasefire, the Israeli army has pursued a brutal offensive on Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023, killing more than 60,200 Palestinians, most of them women and children. The relentless bombardment has devastated the enclave and led to food shortages.

On Monday, Israeli rights groups B’Tselem and Physicians for Human Rights-Israel accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza, citing the systematic destruction of Palestinian society and the deliberate dismantling of the territory’s healthcare system.

Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.