‘Wonderful’: Trump envoy praises Israel for resolving truce snags in Gaza, Lebanon

US President Donald Trump’s Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff describes as “wonderful” the recently reached agreement between Israel and Hamas regarding the upcoming hostage releases and the return of Gazans to the Strip’s north.

“I talked to the president about it and he was thrilled about it,” Witkoff tells reporters, hailing the role of Qatar and Israel in the talks.

“It’s a good day for the hostages,” he says. According to the agreement, six hostages will be freed this week — three on Thursday, including Arbel Yehoud and Agam Berger, and three more on Saturday.

Witkoff says he was moved to tears by this past Saturday’s release of four IDF soldiers from Hamas captivity, saying that him losing his own son helped him identify with the families waiting to receive their daughters back.

“This week will be another moment like that. It felt solemn but very worthy,” he says.

Regarding the extension of the ceasefire in Lebanon until February 18, Witkoff says: “We announced the deal today. The Israeli government was great, they’re a great partner of the United States, they’re a principled ally for us, and they’ve done pretty good work over in Lebanon.”

He says that if today is any indication of the sides’ ability to overcome “blips,” there is reason to be positive about the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire holding further.

President Trump's special envoy to the Middle east Steve Witkoff in New York addresses the resolved hostage crisis and the ceasefire in Lebanon. pic.twitter.com/vhcW2S8RWt

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