This is reported by Axios with reference to Israeli officials, Ukrinform reports.
"Witkoff arrived in Israel from Qatar as part of Trump's last-minute effort to pressure all parties involved in the negotiations to reach a deal by January 20," the report said.
According to the publication, Trump threatened that there will be "hell to pay" in the Middle East if Hamas does not release the hostages by the time of his inauguration.
A senior Israeli official said Witkoff conveyed a message to the Qatari prime minister during their meeting in Doha on Friday that Trump wanted the deal to be done within days.
On Saturday, Witkoff met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and emphasized Trump's goal of reaching an agreement by January 20.
Netanyahu's office said that during the meeting, members of Israel's negotiating team and current US President Joe Biden's Middle East adviser Brett McGurk, who is in Doha, joined a conference call to discuss the status of the talks.
At the end of the meeting, Netanyahu instructed Mossad Director David Barnea and other officials to immediately travel to Doha to advance an agreement on the release of hostages and a ceasefire, the prime minister's office said.
Another senior Israeli official said Witkoff had repeatedly emphasized the goal before Inauguration Day during consultations with Netanyahu and Israel's negotiating team.
It is noted that indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas, mediated by Qatar, Egypt and the United States, are still ongoing in Doha. U.S. officials say Biden adviser McGurk and Trump spokesman Witkoff are coordinating their efforts.
White House adviser John Kirby said on Friday that progress had been made in talks and that an agreement to release the hostages and cease fire in Gaza was possible by January 20.
About 98 hostages are still being held by Hamas in Gaza, including seven Americans. According to Israeli intelligence, about half of the hostages are still alive.
If a deal is reached, the first phase could include the release of the 33 hostages — those still alive and those who have died. The first phase is also expected to include a six- to seven-week ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hundreds of Palestinian convicts.
Photo: Israeli prime minister's office