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Steve Witkoff

Friday

Friends and relatives of Israeli hostages held captive since the October 7, 2023 attacks by Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip, stand behind a banner bearing their portraits during a demonstration calling for action to secure their release in front of the Israeli Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv on Tuesday.

Friends and relatives of Israeli hostages held captive since the October 7, 2023 attacks by Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip, stand behind a banner bearing their portraits during a demonstration calling for action to secure their release in front of the Israeli Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv on Tuesday. Jack Guez/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Jack Guez/AFP via Getty Images

Middle East crisis — explained

Hamas says it's willing to release the five American hostages in Gaza

Hamas, the militant group the U.S. has labeled as terrorists, says it's willing to release the one living American hostage and bodies of four others it's held in Gaza since the 2023 attacks in Israel.

HAMAS HOSTAGE DEAL OFFER

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Thursday

Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during a joint news conference with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko following their talks at the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow, Russia, Thursday.

Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during a joint news conference with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko following their talks at the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow, Russia, Thursday. Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP hide caption

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Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP

Ukraine invasion — explained

Putin voices doubts over a U.S.-proposed ceasefire with Ukraine, and sets conditions

Russia's president welcomed the idea of a ceasefire but warned Ukraine might use a 30-day truce to regroup and questioned how it would be enforced, as President Trump's envoy visited Moscow.

Wednesday

Steve Witkoff, President Trump's special envoy to the Middle East, speaks outside the White House last week before leaving to Qatar to begin ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas.

Steve Witkoff, President Trump's special envoy to the Middle East, speaks outside the White House last week before leaving to Qatar to begin ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images hide caption

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Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Middle East crisis — explained

Mediators seek a new deal to release more than half of the hostages in Gaza

President Trump's Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff is taking part in ceasefire talks in Qatar, the most serious Israel-Hamas talks since Trump took office.

Tuesday

Steve Witkoff, U.S. special envoy to the Middle East, pictured in the Oval Office.

Steve Witkoff, U.S. special envoy to the Middle East, pictured in the Oval Office earlier this month. He has been involved in negotiations over the Israel-Hamas war and Russian-Ukraine war. Chris Kleponis/CNP/Bloomberg via Getty Images hide caption

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Chris Kleponis/CNP/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Politics

Who is the American playing a key role in the U.S.-Russia talks about Ukraine?

A real estate developer-turned-Middle East envoy, Witkoff has been credited with helping broker the Israel-Hamas ceasefire and free an American from Russian prison. Here's what to know about him.