Kushner and Witkoff’s Pivotal Role in Redirecting Gaza Ceasefire Negotiations

According to Politico’s diplomatic correspondent Felicia Schwartz, who previously reported for the Financial Times defense desk, talks between Israel and Hamas — which had reached an impasse earlier in the week — only resumed after the arrival of Kushner and Witkoff. Citing three sources familiar with the negotiations and one U.S. official, the report says the two envoys directly dictated the core terms of the deal and pressured both sides into rapid approval.

A decisive intervention: Kushner and Witkoff reshape the Gaza ceasefire — a shift in Trump’s assertive diplomacy

One person close to the negotiations said that discussions, which began on Monday, “were moving extremely slowly, and neither side was willing to back down from its key positions.” The main sticking points involved the exact parameters of Israeli troop withdrawals, the technical process of releasing hostages and prisoners, the logistics of humanitarian aid entry into Gaza, and the list of Palestinian detainees eligible for release.

By Wednesday, the dynamic changed dramatically when Witkoff and Kushner arrived alongside Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. The trio presented a concrete set of terms and applied intense diplomatic pressure for both sides to accept them immediately. The surprising speed of the breakthrough reflected the mounting pressure after weeks of public remarks by Donald Trump claiming a deal was “very close.”

The development also signaled a clear shift in the Trump administration’s approach to Gaza — from cautious mediation to overt pressure on both parties. This new posture began following Trump’s meeting last week with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during which Trump personally urged Netanyahu to apologize to Qatar for Israel’s earlier strike on Hamas negotiators in Doha. One source said Washington’s proposal included a clause requiring Israel to begin troop withdrawals from Gaza before the release of any hostages — one of several “reciprocal concessions” that paved the way for the ceasefire.

A last-minute breakthrough: Trump declares the end of war at midnight

Marathon negotiations between Israeli and Hamas representatives extended late into the night, but the framework of the deal finally took shape. Senior U.S. officials said that around 2:30 a.m. on Thursday in Egypt, President Trump held his final consultation with the negotiation team before announcing the official end of the war in a Truth Social post.

While Kushner and Witkoff played a central role in finalizing the accord, other regional actors were instrumental as well — including officials from Egypt and Turkey, both of whom have strong influence over Hamas. Sources said many participants were effectively waiting for the U.S. delegation to arrive before final decisions were made. Two individuals involved said they expected talks to continue until the weekend, but the deal was struck “sooner than anyone anticipated.”

Under the terms established by Kushner and Witkoff, if fully implemented, the plan will see the remaining Israeli hostages and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners released, a partial Israeli troop withdrawal from Gaza, and a significant increase in humanitarian aid flows. These measures could mark the end of a devastating two-year war that has claimed tens of thousands of lives across the region. However, U.S. officials warned that the risk of the deal collapsing remains high, prompting the Trump administration to intensify diplomatic efforts on multiple fronts to ensure its implementation.

First phase of Trump’s peace plan begins with his upcoming visit to Israel

Following the conclusion of talks in Sharm el-Sheikh, Kushner and Witkoff traveled to Cairo to brief Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi on the agreement and underscore the importance of Cairo’s cooperation in its execution. They then flew to Jerusalem to oversee the first, delicate stage of the ceasefire’s implementation.

According to senior U.S. officials, the two envoys met with Israel’s cabinet for about an hour Thursday night to outline the benefits of the deal and explain Washington’s support. Hours later, the Israeli government approved the hostage-release portion of the agreement. The White House declined to provide further details beyond what had been shared at official press briefings.

Per the schedule, Israeli troop withdrawals are expected to begin within 24 hours of cabinet approval, followed by Hamas’s release of remaining Israeli hostages. In return, Israel will free hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and allow for a substantial increase in humanitarian aid to Gaza. U.S. and Israeli officials confirmed that Trump is expected to travel to Israel on Sunday to address the Knesset, meet hostage families, and personally witness part of the release process, though the itinerary remains subject to change. Kushner and Witkoff will remain in Israel through the weekend to oversee the implementation of the plan’s initial phase.

A senior U.S. official emphasized the fragility of the moment, saying: “There are still many ways this could go off track, so we’re monitoring every detail closely to ensure all parties uphold their commitments and resolve any misunderstanding immediately.” Should the plan succeed, the full release of hostages would mark a pivotal turning point in the two-year conflict — potentially reshaping the political and diplomatic landscape for the U.S., its Arab partners, and Israel. Yet, this is only the first step in Trump’s 20-point peace framework, with major unresolved questions remaining: Will Hamas truly disarm? And who will govern Gaza after the war?

Robert Greenway, former Senior Director for Middle East Affairs under Trump and an architect of the Abraham Accords, said: “The hard part starts after Monday.”

U.S. troops arrive in Israel to oversee ceasefire: a new phase of Trump’s international strategy

According to a U.S. Defense Department official, 200 American troops have arrived in Israel to form a joint task force overseeing the ceasefire’s implementation, logistical coordination, and operational communication. Full deployment is expected by the end of the weekend. Officials added that Egyptian, Qatari, Turkish, and Emirati forces will also participate.

A senior U.S. administration official clarified that American forces will not enter the Gaza Strip but will work from Israeli territory, with discussions ongoing about the exact location of their operations.

During the recent negotiations, Arab states reportedly pledged to support Israel’s effort to demilitarize Hamas, while the U.S. assured Hamas that Israel would not resume hostilities once all hostages are freed. After the release and exchange process, Washington intends to move into the next — and far more complex — stage of talks, centered on three main pillars:

1. Complete disarmament of Hamas

2. Establishment of a technocratic Palestinian administration to govern Gaza

3. Full withdrawal of Israeli forces from occupied areas of Gaza

Pentagon officials confirmed that U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) will collaborate with the Israeli military to initiate the formation of an international security force composed of Arab and allied troops, with the long-term goal of gradually replacing the Israeli army in parts of Gaza. Still, officials acknowledged that the creation of such a force would face significant political and operational challenges.