UPDATE 2 - US envoys arrive in Israel to discuss implementation of Gaza ceasefire deal

UPDATES WITH DETAILS, REVISES DECK

By Betul Yilmaz and Abdel Raouf Arnaout

ISTANBUL / JERUSALEM (AA) – US Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, landed in Israel on Monday to discuss the implementation of the Gaza ceasefire deal, according to Israel’s public broadcaster KAN.

Israel’s Channel 12 said Witkoff and Kushner, who serves as an informal adviser to the Trump administration, met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other senior Israeli officials.

According to the daily Haaretz, the meetings will focus on issues related to the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, such as the establishment of a multinational force in Gaza, the withdrawal of the Israeli army from the enclave, and the disarmament of Hamas.

The discussions, Haaretz said, are also intended to lay the groundwork for Vice President JD Vance’s forthcoming visit to Israel.

Vance is expected to arrive in Israel on Tuesday to discuss matters related to the Gaza ceasefire deal, according to Israeli media.

On Sept. 29, Trump publicly presented a 20-point plan for Gaza, which included an immediate ceasefire and the phased release of hostages and prisoners.

Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas both agreed to the first phase of the deal, which took effect on Oct. 10. The deal was brokered with the help of mediators from the US, Türkiye, Qatar, and Egypt.

Since October 2023, Israel’s genocidal war has killed more than 68,000 people and injured more than 170,000, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.