Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, has reassured the remaining Israeli hostages held in Gaza that they will soon be reunited with their families, saying that “miracles can happen”, as the country prepares for a momentous reunion.
In an emotional speech at a rally in Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square on Saturday, Mr Witkoff directly addressed the hostages, declaring, “You are coming home”, prompting loud cheers from the tens of thousands gathered in the square.
“Your stories have lived in every heart, here tonight and in mine since I began this job,” he said.
“And now, as you return to the embrace of your families and your nation, know that all of Israel and the entire world stands ready to welcome you home with open arms and endless love.”
Speaking alongside Mr Trump‘s daughter and son-in-law, Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, Mr Witkoff said he had “dreamed of this night” and that “it’s been a long journey”.
Some in the crowd yelled, “Thank you, Trump, thank you Witkoff,” and booed when the envoy mentioned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Addressing the families of the hostages, Mr Witkoff said, “each and every one of you have carried the moral weight of this nation”.
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“Your courage has moved the world and has touched me in ways that I have never been touched before in my entire life,” he added.
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Mr Kushner said they would celebrate on Monday, when the remaining hostages will be released. Twenty hostages are believed to still be alive, 26 have been declared dead, while the fate of two more is unknown.
The president’s son-in-law, who played a key role in the negotiations, also acknowledged the “suffering” in Gaza.
Meanwhile, the president’s daughter, Ivanka, addressed the crowds, saying, “the president wanted me to share, as he has with so many of you personally, that he sees you, he hears you, he stands with you always”.
Once all the hostages are released, Israel will free 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences and 1,700 Gazans detained after the October 7 attacks.
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Israelis at the rally hugged, took selfies, and many waved US flags.
“It’s a really happy time, but we know that there are going to be some incredibly difficult moments coming,” said Yaniv Peretz, who was in the crowd.
Gaza ‘completely destroyed’
The speeches in Tel Aviv came as the Gaza ceasefire continued to hold for a second day, with tens of thousands of Palestinians returning to neighbourhoods devastated by the conflict.
“Gaza is completely destroyed. I have no idea where we should live or where to go,” said Mahmoud al Shandoghli in Gaza City as bulldozers clawed through the wreckage.
The World Food Programme has announced it is prepared to reopen 145 food distribution centres across Gaza, once Israel allows increased aid deliveries. Prior to Israel’s closure of the territory in March, UN agencies had operated 400 such centres.
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While details about the timing and method of food entry into Gaza remain uncertain, reopening these sites would significantly expand access to food.
Roughly 170,000 tonnes of food aid are currently stockpiled in neighbouring countries, awaiting Israeli approval to enter.
About 200 US troops have arrived in Israel to monitor the ceasefire with Hamas.
They will establish a centre to coordinate the delivery of humanitarian aid and provide logistical and security support.
“This great effort will be achieved with no US boots on the ground in Gaza,” Admiral Brad Cooper, the head of the US military’s Central Command, has said.
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Summit in Egypt
World leaders and diplomats are heading to the Egyptian city of Sharm el-Sheikh for an international summit on Monday aimed at finalising permanent peace terms.
Before chairing the summit, Mr Trump is expected to visit Israel on Monday where he will address the Knesset, the Israeli parliament.
Representatives from regional countries, along with European leaders including Sir Keir Starmer, are expected to attend the summit and sign the agreement as guarantors.
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Meanwhile, the deputy head of the Palestinian Authority has told the Saudi Al Arabiya news channel that he will meet former UK prime minister Tony Blair in Jordan on Sunday.
Hussein al Sheikh said the pair will discuss the “day after” the war in Gaza.
As part of Mr Trump’s 20-point peace plan, the former prime minister is set to head the international interim administration that will govern Gaza in its transitional period.
However, the prospect of Mr Blair being part of an international supervisory body in Gaza is unpopular with many Palestinians.
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The secretary general of the Palestinian National Initiative told Sky News, “we don’t need him for many reasons”.
“His reputation in Iraq is horrible, he has a not very clear reputation I would say, and finally when he was here in Palestine for seven years he didn’t do anything,” Mustafa Barghouti said.
“The whole history is not good.”
