Steven Witkoff, the incoming U.S. President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy, stated on January 9 that significant progress had been made in negotiations with Hamas over the release of Israeli hostages. Speaking at a press conference at Mar-a-Lago in Florida, he optimistically suggested that a breakthrough agreement could be announced before Trump’s inauguration on January 20.
Envoy Reveals Progress in Negotiations
Witkoff said, "We have made some very significant progress, and I am hopeful we can announce some good news on behalf of the President before the inauguration." However, he did not disclose the specifics of the potential agreement or its implementation timeline.
Trump Issues Stern Warning
Meanwhile, Trump again issued a warning to Hamas at the press conference, stating that if the hostages were not released before his inauguration, action would be taken against Hamas. "If they are not back before I take office, then the Middle East will be thrown into chaos, and that’s not good for Hamas, frankly, it’s not good for anyone," Trump said. He also emphasized the hope for a swift end to the Gaza conflict but did not specify what retaliatory measures would be taken if the hostages were not freed.
Possibility of Partial Hostage Release by Hamas
Hamas has expressed willingness to release over 30 hostages, but only under the framework of an initial ceasefire agreement. It is reported that Hamas released a list of 34 hostages on Monday, but did not clarify their condition, only revealing that at least two are deceased. Israel has clearly demanded the release of all living hostages as a precondition for negotiations.
Ceasefire Agreement Faces Obstacles
Although there is some progress in hostage-release talks, broader ceasefire agreements remain elusive. Deep-seated conflicts between Israel and Hamas, along with trust issues regarding the implementation of the agreement, slow down the negotiation progress. Analysts point out that the strong stance of the Trump administration could exert more pressure on the negotiation process, but whether it will lead to a final agreement remains uncertain.
Summary and Outlook
As Trump prepares to take office, the tension and complexity in the Middle East present a significant challenge for his foreign policy. Successfully facilitating an agreement for Hamas to release hostages would mark an early victory for the Trump administration’s Middle East policy. However, if the agreement is not reached or if conflict escalates, the U.S.'s influence and mediation capabilities in the Middle East will face severe challenges. The international community will continue to closely monitor future developments and their potential regional impact.
