Steve Witkoff IDF for Gaza deal: Group,Net worth,Wikipedia,Wife,Age,Son

In October 2025, a newly brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza made headlines worldwide. Among the key U.S. actors credited with bringing the deal across the finish line is Steve Witkoff, serving as a Trump-appointed special envoy to the Middle East. His surprising role in diplomacy marks a departure for a real estate developer turned dealmaker.

This article explores who Steve Witkoff is — his business roots, wealth, family — and then delves into how he became instrumental in negotiating this Gaza deal with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Hamas, along with the political, diplomatic, and strategic dimensions of his involvement.

Who is Steve Witkoff? — Biography & Profile

Early life and education

• Steve Witkoff’s full name is Steven Charles Witkoff.

• He was born on March 15, 1957, in the Bronx, New York City.

• He grew up in Long Island (Baldwin Harbor, Old Westbury) with his parents, Martin and Lois Witkoff.

• His father was involved in the women’s clothing manufacturing business; his mother was an interior designer.

• Witkoff studied at Hofstra University, earning a BA in political science in about 1980, and then obtained a JD (law degree) in 1983 from Hofstra Law.

• Early in his career, he worked as a real estate attorney (for example, at Dreyer & Traub) before pivoting into property development.

Business career: Witkoff Group and real estate empire

• In 1997, Steve Witkoff founded the Witkoff Group, a real estate investment and development company.

• Over decades, the company has acquired, repositioned, developed, and financed properties in major U.S. markets — primarily New York City, but also Los Angeles, Miami, and others.

• Among its portfolio are landmark properties like 150 Charles Street (Manhattan) and a number of residential / mixed-use assets.

• The Witkoff Group has bought large cast-iron building portfolios in SoHo, converted office towers to residential uses, and participated in high-end redevelopment projects.

• His business dealings sometimes involved international capital and partnerships, including from Middle Eastern sovereign funds.

Net worth and financial standing

• The exact net worth of Steve Witkoff is a matter of public estimates and is subject to variation depending on asset valuations.

• Forbes, in a 2024 profile, estimated his net worth at “at least US$1 billion.

• Wikipedia reports a May 2025 estimate of US$2 billion.

• Some other sources (e.g. Newsweek, earlier articles) have given lower estimates, such as $500 million, though such figures may reflect earlier valuations or partial asset disclosures.

• His wealth is largely tied to real estate holdings, property development and repositioning, and associated financial structures (equity, debt, etc.).

• He also holds residences and projects in high-value locales such as Manhattan, the Hamptons, and Florida, which likely contribute significantly to his asset base.

Political ties, public roles, and transition to diplomacy

• Witkoff and Donald Trump have known each other for years. A well-known anecdote is that in 1986, Witkoff reportedly bought Trump a sandwich at a deli when Trump had no cash — a symbolic beginning of their friendship.

• Over time, Witkoff became a supporter and donor to Trump’s political endeavors.

• During the first Trump administration, he was part of the Great American Economic Revival Industry Groups, a task force created to address the economic impact of COVID-19.

• In 2024, as Trump was re-elected, Witkoff spoke at the Republican National Convention, and was named co-chair of Trump’s inaugural committee.

• On November 12, 2024, Trump announced that he would appoint Witkoff as Special Envoy to the Middle East.

• In 2025, he also took on the position of Special Envoy for Peace Missions in the Trump administration.

• Notably, when first appointed, Witkoff had no prior diplomatic experience — his elevation underscored Trump’s preference for loyal deal-makers rather than career foreign service officials.

• Even before formally assuming office, he was reported to have been actively involved in early-stage Gaza ceasefire and hostage exchange negotiations crossing the Biden-Trump transition.

Personal life: Wife, children, age

• As of sources available, Steve Witkoff is 68 years old (born 1957) in 2025.

• His marital status: he was married to Lauren Rappoport circa 1987 (though some sources list “sep.” indicating separation).

• They had three children.

• Of his children, two are often mentioned publicly:

  • Zach Witkoff: an American businessman, co-founder of the cryptocurrency firm World Liberty Financial (WLF).

  • Alex Witkoff: formerly co-CEO of the Witkoff Group; as of 2025, he has taken over day-to-day operations while his father focuses on diplomatic work.

• Zach is known to have had his wedding at Mar-a-Lago in 2022.

• Public sources do not extensively discuss details of any other children or personal family life beyond business associations.

Summary table: Key personal data

The Gaza Ceasefire / IDF Deal: Context and Stakes

Before diving into Witkoff’s role, it’s important to understand the context of the “Gaza deal” and what Israel, Hamas, and the U.S. sought to accomplish.

Background: The Gaza conflict, hostages, and prior ceasefires

• The Gaza war (2023–2025) escalated dramatically after Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, which resulted in deaths and the taking of hostages.

• Israel responded with military operations in Gaza, and over time, issues of hostages, civilian casualties, international pressure, and humanitarian crisis mounted.

• Several ceasefires and negotiated pauses have been attempted before 2025; one major one in January 2025 (42-day truce) is on record.

• Key obstacles include: guaranteeing safe return of hostages, ensuring Israel’s security, securing Hamas disarmament or governance transitions in Gaza, allowing humanitarian aid flows, and determining whether and how the IDF would withdraw.

The 2025 deal and the “IDF for Gaza” agreement

• In late September 2025, Trump and Netanyahu announced that they had reached agreement on a 20-point peace/ceasefire plan.

• The first phase included:

  1. A ceasefire / cessation of hostilities

  2. The release of all remaining hostages (alive and dead) from Gaza, in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel

  3. An initial withdrawal of Israeli troops from parts of Gaza (i.e. partial IDF pullback)

• The Israeli security cabinet approved the deal in early October. Netanyahu publicly stated that the deal would not have been possible without the “extraordinary help” of the Trump team, including Witkoff and Jared Kushner.

• The Israeli military (IDF) confirmed that it had finished withdrawing from certain parts of Gaza and began a 72-hour countdown for Hamas to release the hostages.

• However, many unresolved issues remain: full IDF withdrawal, long-term governance of Gaza, verification, security guarantees, and what comes next for Hamas, the Palestinian Authority, and regional players.

Thus, the “IDF for Gaza deal” refers broadly to an arrangement where elements of Israeli military presence would be scaled back (or restricted), in exchange for hostages, under U.S.-mediated guarantees. Witkoff’s name has become associated with negotiating many facets of that arrangement.

Steve Witkoff’s Role in the Gaza Deal: How He Became a Key Broker

From real estate to diplomacy

It is noteworthy that Steve Witkoff, with no formal diplomatic training, was placed in such a central role in a sensitive Middle East negotiation. His appointment reflects a broader Trump-era preference for deal-oriented, trusted confidantes in foreign policy roles.

Given that role, the steps by which he became a pivotal actor in the Gaza deal are worth tracing:

1. Early involvement before formal office
   Even before his official start date (January 2025), Witkoff was reportedly active behind the scenes in hostage and ceasefire discussions, working across the Biden–Trump transition.
   He was viewed as a de facto intermediary with regional actors and contributed to laying groundwork for later negotiations.

2. Appointment as Special Envoy and Peace Missions Envoy
   Once formally in office, he carried the mantle of representing U.S. interests in a region where the U.S. is heavily invested in both security and diplomacy.
   His title “Special Envoy for Peace Missions” signals a role beyond just Israel–Gaza: he is expected to engage with other conflict zones (e.g. Russia–Ukraine, Iran nuclear talks).

3. Direct negotiation in Cairo / Egypt
   In early October 2025, U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner traveled to Cairo to join final, intensive talks with Israeli and Hamas negotiators.
   The presence of both envoys (Witkoff and Kushner) at Israeli security cabinet meetings, including being photographed sitting next to Netanyahu, demonstrates that Witkoff was not a back-channel actor but a front-line negotiator.
   According to Israeli sources, Netanyahu himself credited Witkoff and Kushner for their tireless work bridging gaps with Hamas.

4. Crafting concessions and negotiating language
   Reporting (e.g. by Newsweek) indicates that Witkoff and Kushner were key in moderating elements of the peace plan to secure Israeli buy-in. For instance, they proposed diluting firm calls for Palestinian statehood to language less objectionable to Netanyahu’s government.
   They also preserved some concessions for Palestinian demands, such as the clause “no one will be forced to leave Gaza,” which had been controversial in earlier drafts.
   Their negotiation style appears to have been pragmatic — give enough to each side to keep them engaged, while preserving core U.S. objectives.

5. Supporting implementation and oversight
   With the deal announced, Witkoff’s job shifts to overseeing and pushing implementation: ensuring the IDF withdrawal occurs, that hostages are released on schedule, and that mechanisms for verifying compliance are trusted by both sides.
   Reports indicate he began public efforts to manage expectations — for example, saying Israeli forces had finished pulling back from parts of Gaza and a countdown had started for hostage exchange.
   He also has to manage political resistance in Israel (some ministers pushed back in cabinet debates).

Challenges and criticisms

• Diplomatic inexperience
  Critics point out that Witkoff’s lack of a traditional diplomatic or foreign policy background could have hampered his ability to navigate delicate power dynamics. Some observers question whether such a high-stakes theater is suitable for political appointees without deep regional expertise.

• Trust and legitimacy
  Israel, Hamas, regional players, and international observers might scrutinize any deal negotiated by someone viewed as a partisan or politically aligned actor, rather than a neutral mediator.

• Gaps in enforcement mechanisms
  Even the best-drafted ceasefire deals have failed historically when enforcement or verification is weak. Witkoff must negotiate not just outlines but binding mechanisms for accountability, monitoring, and recourse in case of violations.

• Domestic opposition
  In Israel, there was friction in the security cabinet over terms of withdrawal and hostages, with some ministers skeptical. Witkoff’s ability to reassure and persuade internal Israeli stakeholders matters.

• Unresolved issues left on the table
  The deal’s first phase leaves many key questions deferred: How far and how fast will the IDF withdraw? Who governs Gaza next? Will Hamas disarm? What role will the Palestinian Authority or international oversight play? Witkoff must help shepherd these follow-up negotiations.

Strategic and Geopolitical Implications of Witkoff’s Involvement

Witkoff’s presence in Middle East diplomacy, especially in the Gaza deal, carries broader implications — for U.S. foreign policy, for Israel-Hamas dynamics, and for the role of nontraditional actors in international negotiations.

1. The “deal-maker” approach to diplomacy

Trump’s choice of a real estate mogul turned envoy reflects a trend: privileging negotiators who view every conflict as a transactional deal. Witkoff’s business background signals that discussions will be measured in terms of concrete trade-offs and incremental gains. This approach may bring certain advantages (flexibility, ability to cut aggressive bargains) but also risks oversimplification of deeply political, historical conflicts.

2. U.S. standing and credibility

By placing a heavyweight real estate investor at the core of Israel-Hamas talks, the U.S. is signaling that it intends to use major-power leverage — political, financial, military — via trusted insiders. Success in implementing the deal could enhance U.S. credibility as a mediator; failure or breakdown may undermine it.

3. Influence over Israel and internal politics

Witkoff’s proximity to Netanyahu during key cabinet sessions (physically in the room, prominently seated) underscores the degree of influence and access he holds. His role may have helped push reluctant Israeli ministers to accept compromises they otherwise would reject. Netanyahu’s public framing credits Witkoff’s contribution.

4. Messaging to Hamas and external players

For Hamas, negotiating with a U.S. envoy with no military baggage sends a signal: the U.S. is pragmatic and willing to transact. Witkoff’s role requires balancing firmness (on Israeli security demands) with incentives (for hostage release, easing humanitarian conditions). His ability to engage regional mediators (Egypt, Qatar, Turkey) is critical.

5. Setting precedent for nontraditional envoys

If successful, Witkoff’s performance could embolden future administrations to assign other business or political figures as envoys in conflict zones. But as many foreign policy experts warn, diplomacy often demands institutional memory, cultural knowledge, and long-term trust — not always easily replicated by outsiders.

Evaluating the Outcome (as of October 2025)

At the moment, the Gaza deal is in its early implementation phase. Observers (and participants) are watching closely:

• The IDF withdrawal from parts of Gaza has reportedly been executed in compliance with the plan, triggering the 72-hour countdown for hostages.

• Israel’s security cabinet formally approved the deal.

• Netanyahu publicly thanked Witkoff and Kushner for their efforts.

• Nonetheless, commentators stress that the hardest part lies ahead — sustaining the ceasefire, preventing spoilers, negotiating follow-up phases (e.g. full withdrawal, governance, disarmament).

• Some media reports suggest that Witkoff and Kushner made compromises to win Israeli support (e.g. softening language on statehood) — indicating that the plan may be more of a framework than a blueprint.

• Skepticism persists in parts of Israeli politics and in the international community about whether this episode will move beyond a temporary truce to lasting peace.

In short: Witkoff has won a high-profile political and diplomatic win so far; the test now is durability and follow-through.

Uncertainties, Gaps, and Risks

Even with extensive reporting, some critical uncertainties remain:

• Precise enforceable mechanisms — The success of ceasefires often hinges on mechanisms (monitoring, neutral peacekeepers, verification) that dissuade violations. It is not yet clear how robust those in this deal are.

• Full scope of IDF withdrawal — “Partial withdrawal” is ambiguous; how far, how fast, and which zones remain militarily occupied or restricted is politically sensitive.

• Governance of Gaza — Who will administer Gaza during the transition period? Will Hamas retain influence? Will the Palestinian Authority, an international body, or technocratic governance be installed?

• Hamas disarmament — The deal likely defers full demilitarization. Whether Hamas agrees to remove its military capability is a major sticking point for Israel.

• Spoilers and escalations — Hardline factions (within Israel or Hamas) could derail the deal. Violations, renewed fighting, or political blowback are ever-present risks.

• Public perception and legitimacy — In Israel and among Palestinians, skepticism remains about the fairness and durability of the deal, especially given its origin in high-stakes back-room bargaining.

• Witkoff’s future role — Will he be able to maintain credibility with both sides over time, or will perceptions of bias or partisanship hinder his continued effectiveness?

Conclusion

Steve Witkoff’s emergence as a central actor in the Gaza ceasefire negotiations is striking precisely because it defies conventional diplomacy. A real estate mogul, with deep ties to Donald Trump, he was thrust into the heart of one of the world’s most intractable conflicts. Yet to date, he has managed to broker agreement between Israel, Hamas, and the U.S., advancing a complex deal involving IDF withdrawal in exchange for hostages.

Whether this achievement stands the test of implementation, or becomes another fragile ceasefire prone to collapse, remains to be seen. If Witkoff can shepherd follow-through, resist political pressures, and build durable mechanisms, he may mark a new kind of envoy — one who mixes business-style dealmaking with geopolitics.

For now, his imprint on this “IDF for Gaza” accord is clear: he is not just a facilitator, but an architect, a negotiator, and a symbol of a changing era in U.S. diplomatic style.