U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff told families of hostages in Tel Aviv on Saturday that President Donald Trump now supports a full and final Gaza agreement—rejecting the idea of partial or phased deals to end the war and bring hostages home.
“President Trump now believes that everybody ought to come home at once — no piecemeal deals,” Witkoff said, according to a recording of the meeting.
The change in policy marks a shift from the current strategy pursued by both Israel and the U.S. over the past six months. That approach focused on incremental agreements that aimed to release hostages and implement temporary ceasefires in stages. However, those efforts have failed to produce a lasting solution or bring home the remaining 20 known living hostages.
Why It Matters
This change signals a potential new direction in U.S. and Israeli strategy amid stalled negotiations and growing frustration from families of hostages held by Hamas. Trump and Witkoff had previously played key roles in negotiating a January ceasefire deal that freed 33 hostages but was never fully followed through.
Since March, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has avoided committing to a full end to the war, instead pursuing limited agreements for political reasons. Trump, while initially backing Netanyahu’s phased approach, has now reversed course, according to Witkoff and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
What Was Said
Witkoff, who met with dozens of families during a two-hour session in Tel Aviv, said the administration now wants to push for an “all-or-nothing” deal.
“Now we have to get all the 20 [live hostages] at the same time… We think it is going to be successful and we have a plan around it,” Witkoff said.
He added that Arab governments were also pushing for Hamas to demilitarize as part of any long-term deal. “We are very, very close to a solution,” he told the families, though he admitted he didn’t have “perfect news” at the moment.
The Road Ahead
Witkoff discussed this shift in approach with Netanyahu on Thursday. According to an Israeli official, both sides are now considering a broader agreement that includes not only the release of all hostages but also the demilitarization of Hamas and the Gaza Strip.
Still, a final decision has not been made. A proposed partial deal remains on the table: a 60-day ceasefire in exchange for 10 living hostages and 18 deceased ones.
“We are at a crossroads,” one Israeli official said. “Hamas is taking its time and not engaging, but this could change.”
Hamas Responds
Following Witkoff’s comments, Hamas reiterated its long-standing demand: it will not disarm unless there is an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.
