Trump envoy tells hostage families US working on plan to end Gaza war

US President Donald Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, has informed families of Israeli hostages held by Hamas that Washington is working with the Israeli government on a comprehensive plan that could bring an end to the war in Gaza.

Speaking during a meeting in Israel on August 2, Witkoff said the plan aims to secure the release of all remaining captives held by the Palestinian militant group as part of a sweeping agreement, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media. 

“Trump now believes that everybody should come home at once, no piecemeal deals. That doesn’t work and we’ve tried everything,” Witkoff said.

Trump, who has made ending the Gaza conflict a priority of his administration, has faced stalled negotiations in recent months. Witkoff’s visit comes amid growing public and political pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government over worsening humanitarian conditions in Gaza.

In a recording of the meeting reviewed by Reuters, Witkoff is also heard saying: “We have a very, very good plan that we’re working on collectively with the Israeli government, with Prime Minister Netanyahu ... for the reconstruction of Gaza. That effectively means the end of the war.”

He added that Hamas was prepared to disarm to bring the conflict to a close.

In response, Hamas said it would not relinquish "armed resistance" unless an "independent, fully sovereign Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital" was established.

By Sabina Mammadli