Politics
Real Estate Mogul Steve Witkoff Emerges as Key Figure in Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Deal
DOHA, Qatar — Steve Witkoff, a New York real estate developer and longtime friend of President-elect Donald Trump, played a pivotal role in brokering a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, according to multiple sources close to the negotiations. The deal, announced Wednesday, aims to halt over a year of conflict that has devastated Gaza and claimed thousands of lives.
Witkoff, 67, was appointed as Trump’s Middle East envoy shortly after the November election. Despite having no formal diplomatic experience, his business acumen and personal connections proved instrumental in finalizing the agreement. “He brought a new energy and a new dynamic to the table,” said a source familiar with the negotiations, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The ceasefire includes the release of 93 hostages held by Hamas in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza. Witkoff worked closely with Brett McGurk, the White House coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa, to iron out final details. “This has really been a historic and crucial partnership,” a senior administration official told NBC News.
Witkoff’s involvement in the negotiations was marked by his direct approach. When Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s aides said he could not be disturbed during Shabbat, Witkoff reportedly responded in “salty English,” insisting the deal be finalized immediately. Netanyahu later complied, and the agreement was reached ahead of Trump’s inauguration on Monday.
Trump praised Witkoff’s efforts, calling him a “great negotiator” and emphasizing his ability to “speak emphatically” on behalf of the U.S. Witkoff, in turn, credited Trump’s “stature” and “red lines” for pushing the talks forward. “He gives us a lot of authority to speak on his behalf,” Witkoff told reporters.
Witkoff’s appointment reflects Trump’s preference for unconventional picks. A Republican donor and real estate mogul, Witkoff has known Trump since the 1980s and shares his brash personality. The two are frequent golf partners, and Witkoff was with Trump during an apparent assassination attempt at his Florida golf course last September.
While Witkoff’s business ties in the Middle East raised questions about potential conflicts of interest, he has pledged to place his holdings in a blind trust during his tenure as envoy. “Everything will be in some sort of blind trust for the time being,” he said at a December conference in Abu Dhabi.
The ceasefire deal has been hailed as a rare bipartisan achievement, with both the Biden and Trump administrations working together to secure it. “For the past few days, we have been speaking as one team,” President Joe Biden said in a statement. However, Trump’s team has sought to emphasize Witkoff’s role, suggesting the Biden administration could not finalize the agreement without his intervention.
Analysts remain divided on the long-term implications of the deal. Zaha Hassan, a fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, noted that Witkoff’s business dealings in the Gulf could make him a “good broker for regional peace.” However, Yousef Munayyer of the Arab Center Washington DC cautioned against overstating Trump’s influence, suggesting the timing of the deal was politically motivated.
As Witkoff prepares to assume his role in the Trump administration, questions linger about the future of U.S. policy in the Middle East. “What remains to be seen is what the Trump administration has promised Israel in return,” Munayyer said.