Steve Witkoff

Regional expectations are growing that the Rafah crossing will reopen this week, but doubts remain over how fully Israel will allow movement, as the ceasefire enters a critical stage.

Trump praised the terror group for "working very hard" to return the remains of St.-Sgt.-Maj. Ran Gvili, whose remains were located and returned to Israel earlier on Monday.

Leaders across Israel paid tribute as the remains of St.-Sgt.-Maj. Ran Gvili were brought home, closing the chapter of Israeli hostages held in Gaza.

Netanyahu and his government should have devised a “day after” proposal that made Israel an integral partner, instead of kowtowing to Trump’s whims and the Board of Peace’s dictates.

In recent weeks, Israel has stated that without the return of slain hostage Ran Gvili, the crossing would not be opened to Gazans.

Senior US officials said ahead of the meeting that Witkoff and Kushner arrived in Israel to meet with Netanyahu in order to review the key issues related to Gaza.

Russia, the US, and Ukraine hold security talks in Abu Dhabi, with Moscow stressing the need to resolve territorial issues for lasting peace, despite ongoing military operations.

"If both sides want to solve this, we're going to get it solved," Witkoff said in Davos. "I think we've made a lot of progress."

The emergence of a Palestinian technocratic governing committee alongside Trump’s US-backed Board of Peace has triggered sharp Israeli backlash, exposing cabinet rifts and deep unease.

Steve Witkoff, in contact with Iran's FM Abbas Araghchi via text, reportedly "defused the situation" by informing Trump that the Iranian government had canceled planned executions.