WASHINGTON / PNN /

US Special Envoy Steve Wietcov has called for an immediate halt to the fighting in Gaza, stressing that Washington’s top priority is the release of all Israeli hostages still held in the enclave.

In an interview with Fox News, Wietcov said President Donald Trump has placed the hostages’ return at the top of his agenda, insisting on the release of the 20 remaining captives held by Hamas in exchange for a proportional number of Palestinian prisoners. He also emphasised that any future agreement must include a plan to rebuild Gaza.

Alongside the Gaza file, Wietcov revealed that Washington is also mediating in the Ukraine war, noting that a recent meeting in Alaska produced “almost immediate” Russian concessions.

He said the talks lasted for hours because there had been “real progress” in discussions on how to reach a peace agreement.

By doing so, Washington is linking the Gaza conflict with developments in Ukraine, as part of wider diplomatic efforts to achieve parallel breakthroughs in multiple crises.

Italian foreign minister: Netanyahu ignoring half the world, massacres in Gaza must end

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani sharply criticised Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza, saying Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is “ignoring the demands of half the world” to stop the fighting.

Speaking to the Italian daily Il Giornale, Tajani said Israel’s government had “long crossed the red line of a legitimate and proportionate response to the October 7 attack,” adding that Italy was demanding a ceasefire and an end to the massacres against civilians in Gaza.

The foreign minister also said Italy opposes “the occupation of Gaza, the expansion of West Bank settlements, and Israeli attacks on Christians,” stressing that Rome’s strategic goal is the establishment of a Palestinian state.

Tajani further expressed his country’s readiness to send troops as part of a UN mission led by Arab states to help build the Palestinian state and ensure its stability.