UPDATE: Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is set to meet with officials from Israel and Qatar in Rome on Thursday, as the U.S. intensifies efforts for a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict with Hamas. Both President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu believe a resolution is “very close,” amid ongoing indirect negotiations.
This urgent meeting comes just days after Israel agreed to a proposed 60-day ceasefire, backed by the U.S., which aims to bring an end to the war that has persisted for nearly two years. If significant progress is achieved in Rome, Witkoff is expected to travel to Doha to finalize the deal, according to Axios.
Earlier this month, the proposed deal included provisions for the phased release of hostages and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from parts of Gaza. Trump emphasized the importance of this agreement on Truth Social, stating, “Hamas needs to take this deal because it will not get better — IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE.”
In a further indication of optimism, Trump recently thanked Witkoff during a signing ceremony for the HALT Fentanyl Act, mentioning there was “some good news on Gaza,” although he refrained from providing specific details.
The implications of a successful ceasefire are significant. If achieved, this could pave the way for the expansion of the Abraham Accords, a cornerstone of Trump’s foreign policy that previously established normalization agreements between Israel and several Arab nations, including the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. Israeli Foreign Affairs Minister Gideon Sa’ar has stated that Israel is “serious” about ending the conflict and is interested in involving neighboring countries in peace discussions.
The urgency of the situation is palpable, as humanitarian concerns escalate amid the protracted hostilities. With reports of continued violence surfacing, the international community is watching closely to see if this latest diplomatic effort can bring lasting peace to the region.
As the negotiations unfold, all eyes will be on the outcomes of Witkoff’s meetings in Rome and the subsequent steps that may follow. The world awaits news of a potential breakthrough that could change the landscape of peace efforts in the Middle East.
