Steve Witkoff helped negotiate the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal. His visit to Gaza on Wednesday was the first by a senior U.S. official in more than a decade.

Follow NBC News live updates for the latest coverage of the ceasefire and hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas.

US President Donald Trump has invited the Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu to be the first foreign official to visit the White House.

It was Saturday, the Jewish Sabbath, when Steve Witkoff, President-elect Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy, sat down with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to deliver a stark message from his boss: It was time for a cease-fire deal in Gaza.

We also report on how Senate Democrats are approaching legislation to sanction the International Criminal Court and interview freshman Rep. Jeff Crank. Also in today’s Daily Kickoff : Rep. Mikie Sherrill,

Witkoff is expected to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli officials in Jerusalem.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is hoping to meet with President Donald Trump in Washington as early as next week.

US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff began his visit to the region on Wednesday amid negotiations to begin the second phase of the truce between Israel and Hamas.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was meeting in Jerusalem with U.S. President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, Netanyahu said in a statement on Wednesday, amid

Trump sent Witkoff to ensure the ceasefire agreement advances to the second phase, which will require hashing out more thorny questions about Gaza’s future.

Steve Witkoff visited the enclave to oversee the implementation of a fragile cease-fire between Israel and Hamas.