US envoy says advancing ceasefire deal 'more difficult' and defends Gaza 'takeover' plan

US special envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, expressed cautious optimism on Thursday regarding negotiations for the second phase of a Gaza ceasefire despite significant obstacles.

Speaking at a Saudi investment summit alongside Jared Kushner, Donald Trump’s son-in-law and former Middle East advisor, Witkoff admitted that advancing the deal is “more difficult” but insisted that “if we work hard, there’s a real chance for success.”

He said that all parties agreed mutual captive releases between Israel and Hamas should continue, calling it “a good thing” that “ought to happen”.

However, he pointed to Israel’s refusal to allow Hamas any role in Gaza’s governance as a key sticking point. “It’s hard to square that circle, but we’re making a lot of progress,” he said, expressing hope that “goodwill” from the initial phase would carry over.

Witkoff also attempted to justify Trump’s Gaza takeover plan, which would involve forcibly removing nearly two million Palestinians. He dismissed criticism of the proposal, which has been widely called a plan to "ethnically cleanse" Palestinians, arguing that negative media coverage had misrepresented the president’s intent.