President-elect Donald Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff expressed optimism about progress in negotiations for the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. Witkoff hopes to have positive news to announce by the time Trump is inaugurated as US president on Jan. 20. Negotiations have been taking place in Doha, Qatar, with the aim of reaching a ceasefire in the Gaza war and securing the release of the abducted hostages. Witkoff stated that significant progress has been made and he is hopeful for positive developments on behalf of the president.