The first phase of the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas is set to end by March 1 while the two sides are yet to negotiate the terms of the second phase. Now, Steve Witkoff, who is Donald Trump's Middle East envoy, is hoping to extend the first phase.
Witkoff said he will travel to the Middle East on Wednesday to negotiate the extension, according to CNN. He later told CBS that he will travel to mediating countries Qatar and Egypt as well as regional powerhouses Saudi Arabia and the UAE. He will also go to Israel.
As part of the negotiations for the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal, Steve Witkoff, President Trump's special envoy to the Middle East, says Hamas has to "physically" leave the Gaza Strip.
— Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) February 23, 2025
When asked where they would go, Witkoff tells @margbrennan:… pic.twitter.com/sbs4tsRAGp
There are speculations that Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu does not want to negotiate or implement the second phase of the deal, according to the Times of Israel. With the Trump administration publicly acknowledging their intention to extend phase 1, the speculations have grown stronger.
However, Witkoff has expressed optimism in successfully negotiating the second phase wherein all living hostages will be released. "I think it (second phase) is going to happen," he said.
The next phase would see Hamas releasing 27 of the 63 captives. The remaining are believed to be dead. In exchange, Israel is required to hand over thousands of Palestinian prisoners besides fully withdrawing from Gaza and ending the conflict.
Witkoff said Netanyahu is "well motivated" about getting the hostages released but added that the Israeli premier also wants to protect the State of Israel. However, Witkoff pointed out that neither Israel nor the US wants to see Hamas governing Gaza after the war.
Israel had not released more than 600 Palestinians who were supposed to be released on Saturday, pointing out Hamas violations. Tel Aviv has strongly condemned the way Hamas returned the bodies of Shiri Bibas and her two young children, Ariel and Kfir.
