According to the English section of webangah News agency, citing Mehr News Agency and al Jazeera, Steve Whitcraft made allegations against Hamas during a meeting with families of israeli captives in the Gaza Strip.
Haaretz quoted Whitcraft claiming that Hamas has agreed to disarm and that Netanyahu is committed to ending the war.
The US special envoy also stated that Gaza faces food shortages but denied a famine situation.
He added that negotiations to end the war and secure the release of captives are ongoing.
The Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper reported Whitcraft’s claim that the US is working toward an agreement for the release of 50 Israeli captives and an end to hostilities.
During his visit with captive families in Gaza, he emphasized that most Israelis want their captives returned immediately.
Whitcraft asserted, “Without releasing all captives, no victory will be meaningful for Israel.”
He noted his trip aims to assess conditions on the ground in Gaza and ensure aid delivery into the area.
He claimed Israel and the United States are jointly leading efforts to transfer humanitarian assistance into Gaza.
Addressing public trust issues toward Israel’s cabinet during this meeting, he said: “You have lost trust in your government; I understand this and know there are justified reasons. They face arduous decisions-some confidential-which I cannot discuss. But we remain optimistic. Donald Trump stands with you.”
Meanwhile, some captive families attending expressed disappointment, saying they had no special expectations from this visit. They accused Whitcraft of offering only slogans about Hamas’s unwillingness to reach an agreement.
The families stressed that no new developments or tangible progress emerged from this session.
