The U.S. envoy to the Middle East, Steven Witkoff, made a rare visit to the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, aiming to reinforce a cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas that has facilitated the return of thousands of displaced Palestinians to their homes.
Witkoff, the highest-ranking U.S. official to visit Gaza in years, also met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the eve of another round of hostage releases. An Israeli official, speaking anonymously, noted that Witkoff visited the Netzarim Corridor, where American security contractors are assisting with the return of displaced Palestinians.
High-ranking U.S. officials have largely avoided Gaza due to security concerns and a no-contact policy with Hamas. Another Israeli official confirmed that Witkoff arrived in Israel to meet with Netanyahu and several top aides, including Defense Minister Israel Katz.
Prior to his visit to Israel, Witkoff held discussions in Saudi Arabia regarding a broader Middle East peace plan. He met with Hussein al-Sheikh, secretary general of the Palestine Liberation Organization, and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan was also present at the meeting.
Witkoff's visit aligns with the Trump administration's efforts to broker a wider peace agreement that includes normalizing relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia, contingent on plans for Gaza's future. He indicated plans to visit both the Netzarim and Philadelphi Corridors during his trip, although specific timing remained unclear.
The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem declined to comment on the visit. The cease-fire agreement reached this month allowed Israeli troops to withdraw from key roads in the Netzarim Corridor, enabling over 376,000 people to return to northern Gaza, according to U.N. data.
Safe Reach Solutions is expected to manage operations in the corridor, while inspections will be conducted by two firms, one American and one Egyptian. The Philadelphi Corridor, an eight-mile border strip between Egypt and Gaza, is currently under Israeli control but is expected to see troop withdrawals in the next phase of the cease-fire.
Witkoff played a significant role in brokering the initial cease-fire deal, collaborating with officials from the Biden administration, Qatar, and Egypt. His visit coincides with new Israeli legislation affecting the operations of the U.N. agency that aids Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, which Israel claims has ties to Hamas.
UNRWA's commissioner general warned that the new laws would undermine the cease-fire and hinder Gaza's recovery. The U.S. representative to the U.N. dismissed these claims, supporting Israel's decision to close UNRWA offices.
Witkoff's visit also precedes a third round of hostage and prisoner exchanges between Israel and Hamas, with several individuals expected to be released. Netanyahu has been invited to meet with former President Trump on February 4.
On Tuesday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed cooperation in Gaza with the foreign ministers of Egypt and Qatar, focusing on post-conflict planning to prevent Hamas from governing Gaza. Despite Hamas's weakened state, it remains the dominant Palestinian party in the territory.
Trump has suggested that Egypt and Jordan should accept Palestinians from Gaza, a proposal that has been rejected by both countries. Al-Sheikh reaffirmed Egypt's stance against displacement during a conversation with the Egyptian foreign minister, emphasizing support for the Palestinian people to remain on their land.