Trump sends special envoy to the Middle East - Media.

The United States special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Vitkoff, visited Qatar and Israel in an effort to initiate diplomatic negotiations to achieve a ceasefire agreement in Gaza and the release of hostages before the new U.S. president takes office on January 20. This was reported by Reuters, citing a source with knowledge of the negotiations.

At the end of November, a senior official from Donald Trump's administration, Steve Vitkoff, separately met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, writes ZN.UA.

'Vitkoff's discussions appear to follow nearly 14 months of fruitless diplomacy by the Joe Biden administration, Qatar, and Egypt aimed at achieving a lasting ceasefire between Israel and Hamas militants in Gaza and securing the release of dozens of Israelis held in the enclave,' the agency reports.