Washington, Oct. 17 (LaPresse) – White House envoy Steve Witkoff will travel to the Middle East Sunday evening to push for the implementation of the Gaza agreement. This was reported by Axios in an article by journalist Barak Ravid, citing a U.S. official and another source familiar with the trip. According to Axios, Witkoff is expected to visit Egypt and Israel and, probably, according to a well-informed source, also Gaza. The implementation of the first phase of the agreement has been mostly positive, with the release of 20 Israeli hostages, the freeing of nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees, the partial withdrawal of Israel from the Gaza Strip, and the ceasefire. However, the agreement remains fragile, and tensions are rising due to Israel’s accusations against Hamas for delaying the return of hostage bodies. In addition to trying to push Hamas to return more bodies, Witkoff — according to Axios — is also expected to continue working on the creation of the International Stabilization Force (ISF), which under Trump’s plan should be deployed in parts of Gaza and allow the IDF to further withdraw. The U.S. also wants to start the reconstruction process in some areas of Gaza not under Hamas control, particularly the city of Rafah, on the border with Egypt. The Trump administration hopes Rafah can become a model for a post-Hamas Gaza.
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