Israel and Hamas are set to carry out their third exchange of hostages and prisoners on Thursday as part of a ceasefire agreement that has halted fighting in the Gaza Strip. Hamas is due to release three Israelis and five Thai citizens. Israel is releasing 110 Palestinian prisoners.

As both United States President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump try to take credit for Israel and Hamas agreeing to a ceasefire deal in Gaza, a relatively unknown political newcomer in Trump’s incoming team has emerged as a key figure in sealing the deal.

The developer, who is president-elect Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy, worked with the main negotiator in the deal.

U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff visited Gaza on Wednesday before meeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as efforts to solidify a ceasefire and advance regional diplomacy continue. His visit,

JERUSALEM: US President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff is meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem on Wednesday, (Jan 29) his office said in a statement, ami

Trump Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff said he believes the administration has the opportunity to bring "everyone" in the Middle East on board with the idea of normalization.

This trip comes as negotiations for the second phase of the truce between Israel and Hamas are set to begin, with the US envoy to the Middle East expressing optimism going forward

Ansari, an adviser to Qatari Prime Minister Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and spokesperson for Qatar's foreign ministry. He discussed the ceasefire agreement reached between

Wealthy Arab nations consider bankrolling Gaza’s reconstruction, but they want assurances Palestinians will lead in the postwar period.

Witkoff is expected to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli officials in Jerusalem.

Steve Witkoff, Trump’s envoy to the Middle East, plans to be a near-constant presence in the region in an attempt to prevent the deal from unraveling.