The real estate magnate-turned-diplomat reflects on his son's death as he travels to Israel to oversee implementation of Gaza ceasefire.

As both United States President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump try to take credit for Israel and Hamas agreeing to a ceasefire deal in Gaza, a relatively unknown political newcomer in Trump’s incoming team has emerged as a key figure in sealing the deal.

I've been under fire, including battling terrorists on October 7 to rescue my family -- my advice to you is don't fear the attacks

Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff becomes the first U.S. official to visit Gaza in more than a decade, ahead of a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the second phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire.

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

Steve Witkoff, President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy, said on Wednesday that he welcomed the potential for “a dialogue” with Hamas and heaped praise on Qatar for helping facilitate the cease-fire deal between Israel and Gaza, despite facing scrutiny for previous ties to the Gulf nation.

Israel and Hamas are set to carry out their third exchange of hostages and prisoners on Thursday as part of a ceasefire agreement that has halted fighting in the Gaza Strip. Hamas is due to release three Israelis and five Thai citizens. Israel is releasing 110 Palestinian prisoners.

Steve Witkoff, a member of the Donald Trump administration’s transition team, in an interview with NBC News regarding the recent conditions in Gaza, mentioned Indonesia as one of the countries being considered by the Donald Trump administration to accept the relocation of Gazans during the reconstruction period.

Incoming U.S. President Donald Trump has instructed his nominee for Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff to relay a “stark message” to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last week: “Make the deal,” the Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday.

Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff made a rare trip to Gaza this week, the White House said, in a bid to prop up the fragile ceasefire. He also met Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu. An usual figure in US politics,

The 15-month-long war in Gaza seems to be upending long-standing US strategies for resolving the Israeli-Arab conflict.