Trump envoy Witkoff to journey to Europe and focus on Gaza, U.S. official says

U.S. President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff will journey to Europe this week for conferences on Israel’s struggle in Gaza and a variety of different points, a U.S. official mentioned on Tuesday (July 22, 2025), including Witkoff will proceed pushing for a ceasefire within the Palestinian enclave.

Axios reported that Mr. Witkoff is anticipated to depart for Rome on Wednesday and arrive on Thursday (July 24) for a gathering with Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer and a senior Qatari envoy.

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If ample progress is made, Witkoff will journey from Rome to Doha towards the top of the week to safe a deal, the information web site reported, citing a U.S. and an Israeli supply.

Why it’s vital

Talks on a proposal for a 60-day Gaza ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas are being mediated by Qatar and Egypt with Washington’s backing whereas the humanitarian disaster within the Palestinian enclave from U.S. ally Israel’s army assault continues to mount.

The ongoing struggle in Gaza has seen two ceasefires up to now, the latest of which ended after two months when Israeli strikes killed over 400 Palestinians on March 18.

The newest bloodshed within the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian battle was triggered in October 2023 when Hamas attacked Israel, killing 1,200 and taking about 250 hostages, Israeli tallies present. Israel’s subsequent army assault has killed over 59,000 Palestinians, Gaza’s Health Ministry says.

The assault has additionally brought on a starvation disaster, internally displaced Gaza’s total inhabitants and prompted accusations of genocide on the International Court of Justice and of struggle crimes on the International Criminal Court. Israel denies the accusations.