Witkoff, Kushner join cabinet meeting on Gaza deal after meeting with PM in Jerusalem

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu just concluded a meeting with US President Donald Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, as well as the president’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, in Jerusalem before the two guests joined the full cabinet meeting, where ministers are due to vote on a US-backed ceasefire deal.

The deal would see all 48 hostages released from Gaza in exchange for Palestinian security prisoners. It is the first phase of the US proposal for ending the war in the Strip.

Netanyahu’s office shares a photo of the meeting, which took place as the full cabinet began convening. Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer also took part in the meeting.

After meeting Netanyahu, Witkoff and Kushner joined the cabinet meeting, the office of one of the ministers in attendance tells The Times of Israel.

Dermer, Witkoff and Kushner arrived in Israel directly after participating in negotiations over the proposal in Egypt yesterday.

President Isaac Herzog also sat with the American negotiators at his residence ahead of their Netanyahu meet, conveying his “deep appreciation” to them and to Trump for their “historic role in bringing the hostages home, in advancing Israel’s security, strengthening the well-being of its citizens, and helping to pave a path toward a new era of cooperation in the Middle East,” according to a readout from his office.