US Envoys Meet Netanyahu to Advance Gaza Peace and Hostage Recovery

US diplomatic envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner held a significant meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday, aiming to advance a fragile peace deal concerning Gaza. The discussions also included efforts to recover the remains of the last Israeli hostage, Ran Gvili, whose body is still located in Gaza. The meeting took place against the backdrop of ongoing tensions in the region and the need for a sustainable ceasefire.

Accompanied by senior US official Josh Greenbaum, Witkoff and Kushner focused on various critical issues during their visit. According to a report by The Jerusalem Post, US officials confirmed that the administration is closely coordinating with Netanyahu’s government to retrieve Gvili’s body. This effort is part of a broader agenda to ensure that the temporary ceasefire can evolve into a lasting peace in Gaza.

Reopening of the Rafah Border Crossing

As part of the framework for peace, the head of the transitional Palestinian committee, which has US backing, announced the reopening of the Rafah border crossing. This crossing serves as the only route in or out of Gaza for the approximately 2 million Palestinians living there. Its reopening, expected next week, signifies a potential step toward normalcy in the war-torn region, as reported by The Times of Israel.

During the meeting, discussions also included the rising tensions with Iran, highlighting the complex geopolitical landscape in which these negotiations are taking place. With the recent establishment of the Board of Peace by former President Donald Trump, the aim is to advance the peace plan signed in October, which seeks to bring an end to hostilities in Gaza. The board includes prominent figures such as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, with 35 world leaders already committed to its mission.

Plans for Gaza Reconstruction

On a related note, representatives of the Trump administration elaborated on their ambitious plans to rebuild Gaza following the extensive damage caused by Israeli military actions in response to the October 7, 2023, terror attack by Hamas. The reconstruction initiative envisions transforming Gaza into what Kushner described as the “Riviera of the Middle East,” featuring modern high-rise buildings and luxury amenities.

Kushner emphasized that no reconstruction efforts will commence until Hamas is disarmed, stating, “Without security, nobody is going to make investments.” He expressed a vision of applying free market economic principles to the region, similar to strategies implemented in the United States. “We want to bring this same mindset to a place like Gaza to give these people the ability to thrive and have a good life,” he said during his address at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Thursday.

The meeting with Netanyahu represents a crucial step in the ongoing efforts to stabilize Gaza and address the humanitarian crisis that has ensued from the prolonged conflict. As diplomatic efforts continue, the international community watches closely to see if these initiatives will lead to tangible improvements for the people of Gaza and the broader region.