Trump's envoy Witkoff: There are negotiations for release of Israeli hostage with US citizenship tomorrow

An official involved in the negotiations for the release of the hostages confirmed today (Thursday) statements made by the U.S. envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, said "there is a negotiation for the release of an Israeli hostage with American citizenship as early as tomorrow."

Witkoff met this morning with the four Israel Defense Forces (IDF) observers released on Saturday: Liri Albag, Karina Ariev, Daniela Gilboa, and Naama Levy. After the meeting, Witkoff arrived at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv, where he met with some of the families of the captives.

According to the senior U.S. official, the meeting with the female observers was positive. He added that he is hopeful that the ceasefire will hold until the end. The envoy told the families of the hostages that everyone must be brought back, as well as emphasizing the importance of bringing back those known to be dead.

The U.S. official met with the four female observers who were released on Saturday from Hamas captivity during the second release of the hostage deal at Beilinson Hospital, where a special area was organized for them upon their release.

Yesterday, Witkoff landed in Israel and visited the Netzarim corridor area in the Gaza Strip, becoming the first senior U.S. official to visit Gaza in about 15 years. Witkoff was escorted and guarded by IDF forces. Following his visit to Netzarim, Witkoff met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at his office in Jerusalem.

During his visit in Gaza, the U.S. envoy observed the area where Palestinian vehicles are inspected as they move north from Salah al-Din Street, according to a security official.

The minister of strategic affairs, Ron Dermer, accompanied Witkoff during his entry into Gaza. This was also Dermer’s first visit to Gaza during Swords of Iron War.

Witkoff, a real estate entrepreneur, made the trip using his private business jet.

Shortly before Witkoff's visit, the Prime Minister's Office announced that U.S. President Donald Trump has invited Netanyahu to a meeting at the White House, scheduled for next Tuesday, Feb. 4.

"Prime Minister Netanyahu is the first foreign leader to be invited to the White House during US President Trump's second term," read the statement from Netanyahu’s office.

The meeting between the two leaders is set to take place as negotiations for the second phase of the hostage deal with Hamas are expected to begin.

Senior Israeli officials told Kan News that Israel seeks to coordinate with the U.S. administration on a series of issues related to Gaza, Lebanon, Iran, and the possibility of normalization with Saudi Arabia.