US president Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, is travelling to the Middle East as Washington tries again to secure a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. The conflict has dragged on for over 21 months, with the situation in Gaza getting worse, especially for people trying to get food and aid. State department spokesperson Tammy Bruce told reporters on Tuesday that Witkoff was going with a “strong hope” of helping finalise a ceasefire deal and set up a new humanitarian corridor. “I would suggest that we might have some good news, but, again, this could be a constantly changing dynamic,” Bruce said. She did not share details of Witkoff’s travel plans or meetings. The announcement came after one of Gaza’s deadliest days for people seeking aid — at least 85 Palestinians were killed on Sunday while trying to reach food. The Israeli army claimed it only fired warning shots and said the death toll was being exaggerated. But the UN’s food agency accused Israeli forces of firing directly on the crowd. Bruce called the incident at Zikim crossing “absolutely horrible” and said it showed why a humanitarian corridor was urgently needed as part of any ceasefire.
Talks between Israel and Hamas have been going on for weeks in Qatar. The US has proposed a 60-day ceasefire during which Hamas would release some hostages, Israel would free Palestinian prisoners, and more aid would enter Gaza. Talks on a permanent peace would begin during this period. But both sides remain firm. Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu wants to keep fighting until Hamas is defeated and disarmed. Hamas says it won’t release all hostages unless the war fully ends — and wants a guarantee that Israel won’t resume attacks after the 60 days, like it did in March.
