From the Liveblog of
Thursday, December 5, 2024
US official downplays Trump envoy’s efforts on Gaza deal, says no coordination
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A US official says President Joe Biden’s aides are aware of contacts between Israeli and Qatari leaders and Steve Witkoff, tapped by President-elect Donald Trump as his future Mideast envoy, aimed at clinching a hostage deal and ceasefire in Gaza.
The aides understand that Trump’s envoy supports a Gaza deal along the lines the administration has been pursuing, the official says.
Officially, the Biden administration, rather than Witkoff, retains the US lead in efforts to revive negotiations towards a ceasefire in Gaza.
Biden’s team has kept the Trump camp updated, but the two sides have not worked together directly, the US official says on condition of anonymity.
The Biden administration does not see a need to coordinate with Witkoff because it regards his discussions with regional players as largely an effort to learn the issues rather than negotiations, the official says.
A source briefed on the meetings says Witkoff is aiming to have a deal in place by the time Trump takes office on January 20, a deadline the president-elect has mentioned himself, indicating that the incoming administration does not intend to wait until the inauguration to take charge of efforts.
The Times of Israel Community.