Witkoff will go to Doha to push Gaza talks ahead, White House says

Jacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief

US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff arrives for a signing ceremony at the Royal Palace in Doha on May 14, 2025. (Karim Jaafar/AFP)
US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff arrives for a signing ceremony at the Royal Palace in Doha on May 14, 2025. (Karim Jaafar/AFP)

US special envoy to the Mideast Steve Witkoff will travel to Doha later this week in order to advance a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt says during a press briefing.

Leavitt says an “agreeable and appropriate” ceasefire proposal is on the table after Israel backed it, and she urges Hamas to do the same.

Hamas said over the weekend that it responded positively to the proposal, while submitting three reservations that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would not accept.

Nonetheless, the sides have held proximity talks over the past two days aimed at closing remaining gaps.

Leavitt says Trump’s “utmost priority” is to end the war in Gaza and return all of the remaining hostages.

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