US top diplomat Witkoff starts Middle East mission, assesses Gaza ceasefire

On January 29, Steve Witkoff, the top US diplomat, commenced his Middle East tour, with reports indicating visits to both Israel and Gaza. 

His trip comes as negotiations for the second phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire are set to begin, aiming to end the ongoing conflict and facilitate the release of Israeli and Palestinian captives, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

Witkoff, accompanied by Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer, visited the Netzarim Corridor in Gaza. The discussions focused on the implementation of the ceasefire and vehicle inspections. 

Witkoff is also expected to visit the Philadelphi Corridor along the Egypt-Gaza border before travelling to Israel for talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Meanwhile, displaced Palestinians continue to make the difficult return to northern Gaza, which has been heavily damaged during the conflict. For a third consecutive day, thousands have ventured back under the fragile ceasefire.

The UN's humanitarian body, OCHA, reported on January 28, that over 376,000 Palestinians, displaced by the war between Israel and Hamas, have returned to northern Gaza.

By Aghakazim Guliyev