Witkoff, Kushner in Israel to meet Netanyahu, with focus on Gaza

U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday to discuss Gaza, amid ongoing efforts to secure a ceasefire and the return of a remaining hostage.

Gaza Reconstruction Plan

The U.S. on Thursday announced plans for a “New Gaza” to be rebuilt from scratch, including residential towers, data centers, and seaside resorts, as part of President Donald Trump’s push to advance a ceasefire with Hamas.

Hostage Negotiations and Rafah Crossing

Discussions with Netanyahu also included the ongoing efforts to secure the return of Ran Gvili, the last remaining hostage in Gaza, according to Channel 12 news reports. The prime minister’s office has not yet commented on the meeting.

Ali Shaath, head of a transitional Palestinian committee backed by the U.S., said Thursday that the Rafah border crossing – the primary route in and out of Gaza for its more than 2 million residents – would reopen next week. The Gaza side of the crossing is currently under Israeli military control.

Israel has resisted further easing restrictions in the Strip until Gvili is returned. Gvili’s family on Saturday expressed concern that pressure was being directed at Israel to move forward with the ceasefire plan, rather than on Hamas to return the hostage, stating, “President [Donald] Trump himself said this week in Davos that Hamas knows where our son is. We wonder why the pressure is being directed at the wrong place.”

The family urged Netanyahu to prioritize their son’s return in discussions with the U.S. envoys if regional peace and Gaza’s reconstruction are to progress.

According to The Times of Israel, the reopening of the Rafah Crossing was “imposed” on Israel by mediators – the U.S., Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey – who recognized Israel’s reluctance to reopen the border independently. The issue was raised during Netanyahu’s meetings with Trump and his aides last month, with Washington expecting Israel to reopen Rafah.

While Netanyahu’s office has not confirmed the reopening, it stated that the security cabinet would discuss the issue. Israel intends to restrict the number of Palestinians entering Gaza through the crossing to ensure more are allowed to exit.

Kan news reported that Israel will operate a remote surveillance system at the crossing, control traveler approvals, and scan electronic devices. The Israel Defense Forces will not be physically present but will deploy nearby checkpoints to prevent weapons smuggling. The crossing will be operated by the European Union Border Assistance Mission and members of the Palestinian Authority’s intelligence service, mirroring a previous ceasefire framework.

As of Saturday, the death toll in Gaza since October 7, 2023, stands at 71,654, and the death toll since the October ceasefire at 481, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry. These figures have not been independently verified.

The war began when Hamas-led terrorists invaded Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people and kidnapping 251. Washington announced earlier this month that the reconstruction plan had entered its second phase, expecting Israel to further withdraw troops and Hamas to disarm and relinquish control of Gaza, though Hamas has so far refused to disarm.