Trump envoy Witkoff says will push for Gaza truce extension in the region this week
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US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff says he will negotiate for an extension of the ceasefire deal.
PHOTO: BLOOMBERG
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WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff will travel to the Middle East this week, he said on Feb 23, to push for the extension of a fragile Gaza ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
The three-stage ceasefire which came into effect on Jan 19 is now nearing the end of its first phase.
It has largely held despite accusations of violations by both sides and a series of setbacks, the latest of which came over the weekend.
“We have to get an extension of phase one. I’ll be going to the region this week, probably Wednesday, to negotiate that and we are hopeful that we have the proper time to begin phase two and finish it off and get more hostages released,” Mr Witkoff told CNN’s State of the Union.
The first phase of the ceasefire includes a deal to exchange 33 Israeli hostages held in Gaza for almost 2,000 Palestinian detainees and prisoners held by Israel.
The second phase would include a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and the release of around 60 remaining hostages.
The ceasefire agreement hit a new hurdle on Feb 22 when Israel delayed the release of 602 Palestinians from its jails in exchange for six Israeli hostages who were led by armed militants onto a stage in front of a crowd in Gaza before being handed to the Red Cross.
Hamas-staged public handover ceremonies which have included the display of living hostages and of coffins carrying hostages’ remains, have drawn increasing criticism over the past few weeks, including from the United Nations.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Feb 23, Israel was waiting to deliver the Palestinian prisoners and detainees “until the release of the next hostages has been assured, and without the humiliating ceremonies.”
Hamas said on Feb 23 the ceremonies were dignified and Israel was using them as a pretext to evade its obligations
The bodies of four more hostages are supposed to be released by the group this week.
With tensions again hanging over the deal, which halted more than 15 months of war, Israel on Feb 23 announced an expansion of military operations in the occupied West Bank.
Palestinian youths throw stones and film Israeli tanks and bulldozers entering the Jenin camp for Palestinian refugees in the occupied West Bank, on Feb 23.
PHOTO: AFP
Asked if he believed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wanted to extend the ceasefire or resume fighting, Mr 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 Mr Witkoff. “And, you know as to existing, I’d leave that detail to the Prime Minister.”
US ally Israel’s military assault on Gaza has killed more than 48,000 Palestinians since October 2023, according to the Gaza health ministry, and led to accusations of genocide and war crimes that Israel denies.
The assault internally displaced nearly Gaza’s entire population and caused a hunger crisis.
The latest bloodshed in the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict was triggered on Oct 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking some 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.
Israel’s subsequent military assault on Gaza has killed more than 48,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza health ministry, and led to accusations of war crimes that Israel denies.
The assault internally displaced nearly Gaza’s entire population and caused a hunger crisis. REUTERS, AFP
