Tel Aviv: US Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff stated there is a 'genuine chance' for progress in the ongoing negotiations for a Gaza ceasefire and a prisoner exchange. Witkoff, alongside US President Donald Trump's envoy for hostage affairs, Adam Boehler, met with the families of Israeli hostages in Gaza during their visit.

According to Anadolu Agency, the meeting in Tel Aviv lasted nearly two hours, during which both officials expressed their commitment to securing the return of all 58 remaining hostages, including the living and deceased. The Hostage and Missing Families Forum released a statement affirming Witkoff's assurance to the families that their involvement in the negotiations was based on a real possibility of progress, underscoring the significance of their trip to Doha.

Israeli Channel 12 reported that Witkoff and Boehler, after overseeing the release of Israeli American captive Edan Alexander from Gaza, are set to travel to the Qatari capital. Their mission is to engage in further negotiations aimed at reaching a potential hostage release deal.

The Palestinian group Hamas acknowledged the release of Alexander, which was facilitated through communications with Washington, as part of ongoing efforts to establish a ceasefire in Gaza.

Israel estimates that there are still 58 Israeli captives in Gaza, of which 21 are alive. Meanwhile, over 9,900 Palestinians are held in Israeli prisons, facing severe conditions such as torture, starvation, and medical neglect, leading to multiple deaths. These conditions have been reported by both Palestinian and Israeli media, as well as human rights organizations.

The Israeli military's offensive on the Gaza Strip has resulted in the deaths of more than 52,900 Palestinians since October 2023, predominantly affecting women and children. The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants in November for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.