Israel’s Netanyahu meets Trump’s envoy Witkoff after Saudi trip
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US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff (left) meeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, on Jan 29.
PHOTO: X/@ISRAELIPM
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JERUSALEM - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was meeting in Jerusalem with US President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, Mr Netanyahu said in a statement on Jan 29, amid the Gaza ceasefire
A day after visiting Saudi Arabia, Israeli media reported that Mr Witkoff had also been in Gaza on Jan 29 to oversee the implementation of the ceasefire there, which Mr Trump has said he wants to leverage into a broader regional accord that would include Saudi Arabia and Israel formalising diplomatic ties.
An Israeli government spokesman declined to provide any details on Mr Witkoff's visit to Gaza, which Israel's Channel 13 said included an inspection of the Netzarim corridor, which tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians have crossed over as they returned to their homes in the northern part of the enclave.
Israel began pulling out of the corridor on Jan 27 and allowing their return as part of the first phase of the ceasefire, which will also see 33 hostages freed in exchange for the release of almost 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees.
Seven hostages have already been released since the ceasefire took effect on Jan 19. Three more, including a civilian woman and an elderly man, as well as a female conscript soldier, will be released on Jan 30, according to Mr Netanyahu's office and the Hostage Families Forum.
Israel will free 110 Palestinian prisoners and detainees, according to the Palestinian prisoners' Information Office.
Five Thai citizens abducted from Israel during Hamas' Oct 7, 2023, attack that sparked the conflict may also be released on Jan 30, according to an Israeli official. REUTERS
