US envoy Witkoff said in Paris for meeting with Qataris on hostage release deal

By Lazar Berman

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4 September 2025, 8:16 pm

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Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter

Special Envoy Steve Witkoff listens as US President Donald Trump meets with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung in the Oval Office of the White House on August 25, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

White House special envoy Steve Witkoff is meeting in Paris right now with Qatari officials to discuss efforts to reach a ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza, Channel 12 reports, citing two sources familiar with the details.

On Wednesday, Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer spoke with Witkoff and Qatari officials, according to the report.

“So far, there is no progress in the negotiations – mainly due to the Israeli position,” says one of the sources.

“There is no significant American move,” an Israeli official tells Channel 12.

“Hamas in the meantime is not softening enough. No one has a rabbit to pull out of the hat yet.”