US Envoy Meets with Netanyahu Amid Ongoing Gaza Conflict

US Envoy Meets with Israeli PM Amid Ongoing Gaza Conflict

United States envoy Steve Witkoff and his colleague Jared Kushner held “constructive” talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday, according to a statement released by Witkoff. The discussion focused on the implementation of Phase 2 of President Trump’s 20-Point Plan for Gaza, which is being advanced in close partnership between the US and Israel.

Witkoff also mentioned that broader regional issues were discussed during the meeting. On Sunday, medical sources at al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City reported that at least one person had been killed and 15 wounded throughout the day due to Israeli attacks. Local sources in Jabalia refugee camp confirmed a drone attack on a medical facility near the yellow line separating Israeli- and Palestinian-controlled zones.

The Palestinian Health Ministry has reported that at least 484 Palestinians have been killed and 1,321 others wounded in Israeli attacks since October 11. The ministry also stated that Israeli attacks have resulted in the deaths of 71,657 people and injuries to 171,399 others in Gaza since October 7, 2023.

The Rafah border crossing with Egypt is expected to reopen in both directions soon, according to Ali Shaath, head of Gaza’s technocratic committee. This reopening would fulfill a key tenet of President Trump’s 20-point plan, allowing people to flow through Gaza’s main gateway to the outside world in both directions.

Separately, Ahmed al-JoJo, a Palestinian living in Gaza, expressed his desire for the crossing to reopen, stating that it would be a solution but only a partial one. He has been separated from his fiancée for over a year due to the checkpoint closure.

Source: Al Jazeera