Trump's Mideast Envoy Seeks Ceasefire Extension

US President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, announced plans to travel to the region in the coming days to negotiate an extension of the first phase of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. The current phase, slated to conclude on March 1, includes a hostage release deal that has garnered significant international attention.

Witkoff confirmed in interviews that he would visit Qatar, Egypt, Israel, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia to ensure the continuation of the ceasefire. This move comes as the Trump administration publicly pushes for the extension, with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly hesitant to move forward with phase two, which involves deeper negotiations and the potential release of thousands of Palestinian prisoners.

The first phase of the deal has seen the release of some hostages, with the final group of living captives freed on Saturday. However, Israel's government has held off on releasing more prisoners, citing violations by Hamas, including what it considers mishandling of the bodies of Israeli victims.

The second phase of the agreement remains a major point of contention. It is designed to see the release of more hostages, including Edan Alexander, the last remaining American-Israeli hostage. The phase also envisions a permanent ceasefire, but a central issue remains: whether Hamas will have any role in Gaza's governance, a situation that Netanyahu strongly opposes.

Witkoff emphasized that while the Trump administration supports Israel’s security, there is an urgent need to release all hostages.