I t was 1986: Greed was good and the hours were punishing. Still, even round-the-clock dealmakers had to eat. That is how Donald Trump happened upon Steve Witkoff at a deli counter in midtown Manhattan at 3am. One was a son of Queens, the other of the Bronx. Both were hungry. Mr Witkoff paid.
At least one American-citizen hostage — Edan Alexander, 21 — is believed to remain alive following the abductions that took place during Hamas terrorists’ Oct. 7, 2023, rampage that triggered Israel’s invasion, which halted with a cease-fire agreement in January.
US bureau chief Jacob Magid on the unveiled direct negotiations between the White House and Hamas and how they may reshape the mediated ceasefire deal. Stay tuned for the Friday Focus
White House envoy Steve Witkoff said securing Edan Alexander’s freedom is a top priority as ceasefire talks continue.