White House envoy Steve Witkoff will meet Israeli Minister Ron Dermer and Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani today in Sardinia to accelerate negotiations between Israel and Hamas regarding a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release. This location update, reported by Axios journalist Barak Ravid, corrects earlier reports suggesting Rome as the venue. The White House confirmed Witkoff’s travel to Europe but did not specify details.
Hamas has submitted its response to Israel’s proposed 60-day ceasefire in Gaza, according to a statement released via Telegram. Palestinian sources close to the Doha negotiations indicate the response demands amendments to humanitarian aid access terms, maps outlining Israeli military withdrawal zones, and guarantees for a permanent end to hostilities.
Negotiators aim to secure a truce exchanging 10 living Israeli hostages for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, though talks remain deadlocked after two weeks. Israel insists Hamas’ military dismantling is non-negotiable, while Hamas demands lasting ceasefire assurances, full Israeli troop withdrawal, and unrestricted aid flow. Israeli government spokesman David Mencer accused Hamas of obstructing progress, stating: “Israel accepted proposals from Qatar and U.S. envoy Witkoff—Hamas rejected them.”
Amid mounting international pressure over Gaza’s humanitarian crisis, U.S. State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce affirmed Witkoff’s mission pursues a “firm hope for a new ceasefire” and a “humanitarian corridor for aid both parties have functionally accepted.” Should talks advance, Witkoff may proceed to Doha this weekend.
Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned: “If hostages aren’t freed soon, the gates of hell will open.” Mediators Qatar and Egypt reportedly dismissed Hamas’ latest proposal as “insufficient,” urging revised terms. A source familiar with negotiations claimed, “Hamas is wasting time.”
Controversially, Israeli Innovation Minister Gila Gamliel shared an AI-generated video on X depicting Gaza transformed into a luxury resort—complete with a Trump Tower—captioned: “This is Gaza’s future: Us or them!” Critics denounced the post as incitement to ethnic cleansing.
International condemnation persists, with European nations urging EU action against Israel. French officials blamed Israel’s blockade for Gaza’s “deteriorating humanitarian situation marked by malnutrition and famine risk.” Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni reiterated: “No military action justifies civilian attacks… We seek an end to hostilities and serious progress toward a two-state solution.”