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, and finish it off and get more hostages released."
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Palestinian armed group 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 the manner in which 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.
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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.
Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

World | Palestinian armed group 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 the manner in which Israeli hostages had been freed.

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, and finish it off and get more hostages released." Also Read | Zelensky says willing to give up presidency if it means peace in Ukraine Palestinian armed group 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 the manner in which 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. Also Read | Russia launched 267 drones on Ukraine: 'Record for a single attack' 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. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Trump’s envoy heads to Middle East to negotiate Israel-Hamas truce extension

Social media have been circulating claims about a visit to Russia by Steve Witkoff, President Donald Trump’s special envoy for the Middle East. However, Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that the Kremlin had no information on this matter. Watch this report for more details!

Kremlin: No contact with US Envoy Witkoff

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Trump’s envoy heads to Middle East to negotiate Israel-Hamas truce extension

Kremlin: No contact with US Envoy Witkoff