In Jerusalem, US President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, informed families of hostages held by Hamas that he and the Israeli government are working on a comprehensive plan intended to bring an end to the Gaza conflict. Witkoff made these remarks during a meeting on August 2, emphasizing a ‘‘very, very good plan’’ developed in coordination with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, focusing on Gaza’s reconstruction and effectively ending the war.

Despite this, negotiations to secure a ceasefire and the release of hostages have reached an impasse. Hamas, which has controlled Gaza since 2007, insists it will not disarm unless an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital is established. Contrary to Witkoff’s assertions that Hamas is prepared to disarm, the group reaffirmed its commitment to "armed resistance."

The situation remains dire for the hostages. Recent footage released by Hamas shows Israeli captive Evyatar David in a severely weakened state. His family expressed grave concerns about the hostages’ survival, with his brother Ilay stating at a rally in Tel Aviv that hostages are "on the absolute brink of death."

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar condemned the treatment of hostages, describing it as "deliberate sadistic abuse," including starvation. Witkoff’s visit comes amid mounting global criticism of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where over two million people face food shortages and blockades.

Following his meetings with Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Netanyahu, a senior Israeli official indicated a shift in strategy: from aiming for the partial release of hostages to pursuing the release of all captives, combined with Hamas disarmament and Gaza demilitarization.

Efforts to broker a ceasefire have also involved Qatar and Egypt, who backed a proposal from France and Saudi Arabia promoting a two-state solution that requires Hamas to relinquish its weapons to the Palestinian Authority.

The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains critical. Witkoff visited a US-backed aid distribution center, highlighting attempts to deliver food and supplies amid ongoing restrictions. Gaza’s health ministry reports multiple deaths due to malnutrition, exacerbated by prolonged cutoffs of essential goods.

Israel attributes the suffering to Hamas, while UN agencies call for increased and sustained aid deliveries. The latest conflict erupted after Hamas's October 2023 attack on southern Israel, killing over 1,200 Israelis and capturing 251 hostages. Since then, Israeli military operations have resulted in significant Palestinian casualties, with Gaza health officials reporting over 60,000 deaths.

Currently, Israeli sources estimate that about 50 hostages remain in Gaza, with as few as 20 believed to be alive. The international community continues to monitor the evolving situation amid calls for humanitarian relief and conflict resolution.