Tel Aviv, Jan 11 (Reporter) US President-elect Donald Trump's special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, arrived in Israel on Saturday to promote a deal to free hostages held by the Palestinian Hamas movement in the Gaza Strip, Israel's Keshet (channel)12 reported. Witkoff is expected to discuss the issue with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem. After meeting with the US envoy, Netanyahu will hold consultations with intelligence officials. Earlier on Saturday, Israel's state broadcaster Kan reported, citing a senior source, that progress had been made in talks to settle the Gaza conflict in exchange for the release of the hostages. Before his visit to Israel, Witkoff held talks in Doha with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Keshet 12 reported. The US special envoy's visit to the region is linked to the parties' attempts to agree on a deal on the Gaza Strip before Trump's inauguration on January 20. On Friday, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz ordered the military to present a plan for the complete destruction of Palestinian movement Hamas in the Gaza Strip if Israeli hostages are not released by the inauguration of Trump. Trump warned earlier that "there will be all hell to pay in the Middle East" unless the hostages taken during the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel are released before his inauguration. On October 7, 2023, Israel was subjected to an unprecedented rocket attack from the Gaza Strip. In addition, fighters of Palestinian movement Hamas infiltrated the border areas, opened fire on the military and civilians and took hostages. Israeli authorities say that about 1,200 people were killed during the raid. In response, the Israel Defense Forces launched Operation Iron Swords in the Gaza Strip and announced a complete blockade of the enclave. Over 250 people were captured and taken to the Gaza Strip on October 7, 2023. According to Israeli data, 98 people are still in Hamas captivity, including those believed to be dead. During various operations and humanitarian efforts, 156 people were returned from Hamas captivity, including the dead hostages whose bodies were taken out of the Strip. The hostages, including women, children and the elderly, have been in captivity for more than 15 months. Among the hostages held captive, there are also two with Russian citizenship...////...