We have people that know everything about the Middle East, but they can’t speak properly. He is a great negotiator,’ Trump said on Witkoff's appointment.

After 14 months of talks, Trump’s threats and his special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, played a major role in helping Biden officials reach the finish line.

The developer, who is president-elect Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy, worked with the main negotiator in the deal.

Steve Witkoff, an investor and real estate mogul, has been highlighted as a key figure in securing a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.

Trump, who will take office on Monday, has long vowed to bring peace to the war-torn region. He escalated his pressure for a ceasefire in the weeks before the inauguration, threatening “hell to pay” if the hostages remained in captivity. His team was involved in the negotiations for a deal.

Trump's Middle East envoy epitomises the president-elect's disdain for policy wonks and international relations experts

Twinning the terms “ceasefire” and “Gaza” seems not only incongruous but an obscene joke.  This is largely because the ceasefire announced on January 15

During his speech, he referred to the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, to audible applause, according to pool reports. He made specific mention of Steve Witkoff, who had a significant hand in the negotiations as the president-elect’s incoming special envoy to the Middle East.

Steve Witkoff's meeting with Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday came after he held a meeting with Qatar Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani

Hamas leader Mousa Abu Marzouk has expressed readiness for dialogue with the U.S. He credited President Donald Trump for ending the war in Gaza, claiming that without Trump's determination, the deal would not have happened.

Three released hostages give first testimonies • Released hostages reunite with their mothers after 471 days in captivity • No immediate medical attention needed