Trump envoy Steve Witkoff arrives at Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square; meets freed hostage Yocheved Lifshitz

Trump envoy Steve Witkoff arrives in Hostage Square in Tel Aviv during his visit to Israel and Gaza during the ceasefire.

Asked about his meeting earlier today with four freed captive soldiers in the Rabin Medical Center, Witkoff says “it was good.”

Witkoff tells Army Radio that “it’s a great day for the State of Israel.” Asked about the later stages of the deal, he says, “I think the prime minister is committed to do everything to get the hostages home safely.”

Witkoff meets with released hostage Yocheved Lifshitz in the square. She gives him a cactus pin signifying the struggle to free her husband, Oded, who grows catuses at Kibbutz Nir Oz, from Hamas captivity. Witkoff pins it to his jacket.

וויטקוף, השליח של טראמפ, עם יוכבד ליפשיץ בכיכר החטופים. המשפחה העניקה לו את סיכת המאבק לשחרורו מהשבי של בעלה עודד – בצורת קקטוס, כמו אלה שהוא מגדל בגינה בניר עוז pic.twitter.com/TPJQGyQWpl

— אורי סלע Uri Sela (@uri_sela) January 30, 2025

Hundreds of Israelis are gathered in the square to watch and celebrate the expected return today of eight hostages — three Israelis and five Thai nationals. One of them, Agam Berger, has already arrived back in Israel.

ברגעים אלו ממש, שליח ארצות הברית למזרח התיכון, סטיב ויטקוף, הגיע לביקור בכיכר החטופים????️???????????????? pic.twitter.com/0tQkbFqtqp

— מטה המשפחות להחזרת החטופים והנעדרים (@BringThemHome23) January 30, 2025