Jerusalem, Israel. U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to arrive in Israel on Tuesday for meetings with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli military leaders, senior Israeli officials told Reuters on Monday.
Meetings on ceasefire and Gaza demilitarisation
Witkoff, described as a key architect of the administration’s Middle East strategy, is tasked with addressing differences between Washington’s demand for a permanent ceasefire and Israeli security concerns about the demilitarisation of the Gaza Strip.
Pressure over Rafah crossing and governance transition
The visit comes amid rising friction, with the Trump administration increasing pressure on Jerusalem to reopen the Rafah border crossing and complete a transition to a technocratic Palestinian governing body, the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG).
Ceasefire disputes and return of remains of Ran Gvili
A fragile ceasefire has been in place since October 2025, but Israel and Hamas have accused each other of repeated violations. Witkoff’s talks are expected to prioritise the return of the remains of Ran Gvili, described as the last Israeli captive in Gaza, which has become a key issue for the Netanyahu cabinet before committing to a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from the enclave.
Iran tensions and U.S. military deployment
Witkoff’s agenda also includes regional tensions with Iran as relations between Washington and Tehran have further worsened in early 2026. The United States has deployed the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln to the region, and Israeli media reports said the Israeli Air Force has been placed on high alert amid the U.S. military buildup, with some assessments in Tel Aviv pointing to the possibility of a U.S. military strike to prevent Tehran from resuming its nuclear programme.
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