President Donald Trump's Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff is engaging in high-stakes diplomacy in Israel, meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while preparing for the return of American hostage Edan Alexander.
Witkoff met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi, and additional advisers. Later today, a private one-on-one meeting between Witkoff and Netanyahu is also planned. An Israeli source told Israel Hayom that "Witkoff will discuss the negotiations with Iran with Netanyahu. This is a very dramatic issue that is on the agenda."
After his meetings, Witkoff will return to his hotel or the US Embassy to await the arrival of hostage Edan Alexander to Israel on Monday, as both Hamas and Trump confirmed the deal would take place.
Following the report in Israel Hayom that the prime minister is expected to meet with Alexander, Professor Hagai Levin, head of the health department at the Hostages' and Missing Families Forum, warned that such a visit by Netanyahu to Edan Alexander is "harassment that could damage his health."
The "payment" question
While Hamas is still talking about and aiming for a deal that includes ending the fighting and the withdrawal of IDF forces from Gaza, Israel is building on the Witkoff plan. Therefore, there are still wide gaps between the sides that Trump's envoy will need to bridge – with the big question being who will be required to pay the price. While Israeli officials emphasize that Alexander's release was achieved without any Israeli concessions, some sources claim there is apprehension regarding what the eventual price will be.
Another possibility is a framework that would include the release of hostages, but not all of them, in exchange for a ceasefire and the release of Palestinian prisoners – similar to the previous deal. Additionally, there is a possibility that Witkoff will propose a completely new framework that was previously unknown in Israel.
