Trump’s Mideast envoy in push to reach Gaza ceasefire before inauguration

DOHA/BRUSSELS/WASHINGTON –

Donald Trump’s incoming Middle East envoy has traveled to Qatar and Israel to kick-start the U.S. president-elect’s diplomatic push to reach a Gaza Strip ceasefire and hostage release deal before he takes office on Jan. 20, a source briefed on the talks said.

Steve Witkoff, the incoming envoy, met separately in late November with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, the source said.

The meetings signal that the Gulf state of Qatar has resumed its role as a key mediator after suspending its role last month, the source said.