WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff said on Sunday that he was headed to the Middle East this week to discuss an extension to phase one of the Israel-Hamas peace deal.
“We have to get an extension of phase one, and so I’ll be going into the region this week, probably Wednesday, to negotiate that,” Witkoff told CNN.
“And we’re hopeful that we have the proper time ... to begin phase two, finish it off, and get more hostages released.”
Hamas on Sunday said Israel had gravely endangered the five-week-old Gaza truce by delaying the release of Palestinian prisoners under the deal because of how Israeli hostages had been freed.
The first phase of the truce ends early in March, and details of a planned subsequent phase have not been agreed.
With tensions again hanging over the deal, which halted more than 15 months of war, Israel on Sunday announced an expansion of military operations in the occupied West Bank.
Asked if he believed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wanted to extend the ceasefire or resume fighting, Witkoff said he believed the former.
“I believe the prime minister is well motivated. He wants to see hostages released, that’s for sure. He also wants to protect the state of Israel, and so he’s got a red line,” he said.
The “red line,” he said, was Hamas having a future role in the governance of Gaza.
“I would say at this point, for sure, they can’t be any part of governance in Gaza,” said Witkoff.
“And, you know, as to existing, I’d leave that detail to the prime minister.”
Netanyahu on Sunday said that Israel was prepared to resume fighting in the Gaza Strip “at any moment” while vowing to complete the war’s objectives “whether through negotiation or by other means.”
“We are prepared to resume intense fighting at any moment; our operational plans are ready,” Netanyahu said at a ceremony for combat officers, a day after Israel halted the release of Palestinian prisoners.
“In Gaza, we have eliminated most of Hamas’s organized forces, but let there be no doubt — we will complete the war’s objectives entirely — whether through negotiation or by other means,” he added.
Netanyahu said the prisoner release would be delayed until Hamas ends its “humiliating ceremonies” while freeing Israeli hostages.
