D
eveloper Steve Witkoff found himself at the center of a high-stakes negotiation between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. According to the New York Times, Witkoff played a role in securing a ceasefire, despite his limited involvement on the ground. As Middle East envoy appointed by president-elect Donald Trump, Witkoff's influence was largely behind-the-scenes, with negotiator Brett McGurk taking the lead.

    Witkoff met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reinforce Trump's message of wanting a deal before his inauguration. The ceasefire is fragile and already facing delays on Israel's end. Witkoff's friendship with Trump has made him an unlikely figure in multiple geopolitical events, including helping to mediate a meeting between Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

    Witkoff's involvement in the negotiations began shortly after Trump's election victory, with McGurk keeping him informed as talks progressed. Witkoff was brought into the final round of negotiations in Doha, Qatar, where he met with Netanyahu on Saturday before flying back to the US. The ceasefire agreement is a complex one, and its success will depend on the cooperation between the Trump administration and the Biden team that put it together.