Steve Witkoff, the U.S. envoy for the Middle East under President Donald Trump, is expected to return to the region soon, according to a spokesperson from the State Department, as reported by Reuters.
“Special Envoy Witkoff plans to return to the region in the coming days to work out either a way to extend Phase I or advance to Phase II,” the spokesperson stated.
Over the weekend, Hamas rejected Witkoff’s offer for a temporary ceasefire during the overlapping Pesach and Ramadan.
On Motzoei Shabbos, an announcement from Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu’s Office revealed that Israel had agreed to adopt Witkoff’s proposal.
The deal involved a plan in which half of the hostages—both alive and deceased—would be returned to Israel on the first day of the agreement. If a permanent ceasefire is achieved by the end of the period, the remainder of the hostages, living and dead, would return to Israel.
Witkoff presented the proposal acknowledging the existing divide between Israel and Hamas on how to conclude the conflict. He emphasized that more time was needed to negotiate a lasting ceasefire.
In response to Hamas’ rejection, Israel made an announcement that it would cease the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
On Monday, Defense Minister Yisroel Katz confirmed that Israel had agreed to extend negotiations for a few more days at the request of the mediators. However, he warned Hamas: “This is just the beginning. If Hamas does not release the hostages soon – the gates of Gaza will be closed and the gates of hell will open.”
{Matzav.com}