Witkoff says he’s ‘very optimistic’ Trump can push Gaza deal across finish line

US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff tells Fox News that he is “very optimistic” for the chances of a US plan to end the Gaza war succeeding, citing broad international backing for the agreement.

“We have so much widespread support from all of the Gulf Coast Arab countries [sic], we have widespread support from the Europeans,” he says. “We have a lot of support for the plan, a lot of buy in.”

He adds that there are still details to be hashed out, but stakeholders who don’t agree can expect to be pressured by US President Donald Trump.

“Everyone is going to be pushed by him and think I we are going to get to the finish line,” he tells Bret Baier outside the White House.

???? WATCH: Steve Witkoff, U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East, tells Fox’s @BretBaier he’s “very optimistic” of Israel-Gaza peace pic.twitter.com/f8xZeNyAYh

— TV News Now (@TVNewsNow) September 29, 2025

He also appears to conflate Israeli hostages with Palestinian security prisoners, including terror convicts, that Hamas demands be freed in exchange for captives, saying “lets see if we can get everybody home. On both sides, by the way, on the Palestinian side as well as the Israeli side.”

“I’m very optimistic, and I’m hopeful at the same time,” he says. “I really am hopeful, because I’ve met ppl on both sides and this needs to end.”