Trump's Envoy Pressures Netanyahu on Gaza Hostages

As President-elect Donald Trump's administration approaches, significant shifts in U.S. foreign policy, particularly regarding Israel and the Middle East, are anticipated. Trump's special envoy, Steven Witkoff, has already influenced Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu towards critical compromises for a potential hostage deal with Hamas, achieving more in one meeting than the Biden administration did over the past year. Experts indicate that Trump is likely to pressure Israel to meet Saudi demands for normalization, including addressing the Gaza conflict and Palestinian political aspirations. Dr. Shay Har-Zvi notes that Trump's business-like approach to governance will focus on tangible results, which may disrupt traditional diplomatic norms. The success of Israel-Saudi normalization is seen as intertwined with the resolution of the Gaza situation and countering Iran's nuclear ambitions. With a Republican majority in Congress, Trump may pursue his domestic and foreign policy initiatives aggressively within the first two years of his term.