White House envoy Steve Witkoff is set to travel to the Middle East on Wednesday to engage in discussions with Israel, Qatar, and Egypt regarding the potential extension of the first phase of the Gaza hostage and ceasefire agreement. The first phase of the deal is due to conclude on Saturday, with the ceasefire holding as long as the second-phase negotiations are ongoing.

Israel and the U.S. are keen to extend the first phase of the deal by securing the release of more hostages in exchange for a continuation of the ceasefire for another week or two.

Witkoff, speaking in an interview on CNN’s State of the Union on Sunday, expressed hope that sufficient time would be available to advance negotiations and secure further hostages’ release.

"We're hopeful that we have the proper time to finish off -- to begin phase two and finish it off and get more hostages released and move the discussion forward," he stated.

However, the situation remains complicated as Hamas official Mahmoud Mardawi declared on his Telegram channel that the group would not engage in further talks with Israel until 600 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel are released. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delayed the release of these prisoners on Saturday.

Witkoff acknowledged Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s determination to balance the protection of Israel’s security with the need to release more hostages.

"He also wants to protect the state of Israel. And so he's got a red line. And he said what the red line is. And that is that Hamas cannot be involved in a governing body when this thing is resolved. And so I think he's trying to square the circle on both of those things," Witkoff explained.

The Israeli Prime Minister convened security consultations on Saturday to discuss the way forward in the hostage and ceasefire deal. Despite recommendations from security services leaders to exhaust negotiations over the second phase or extend the first phase, Netanyahu delayed the release of the prisoners, citing violations of the agreement by Hamas.

The White House has expressed its backing for Israel’s decision to delay the release, with National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes stating that President Trump is "prepared to support Israel in whatever course of action it chooses regarding Hamas." He underscored the context, highlighting "Hamas' barbaric treatment of the hostages," including the horrific display of the Bibas children's coffins through the streets of Gaza. Hughes added that Israel’s decision was "an appropriate response."

In addition to his work with Israeli officials, Witkoff met with Israeli Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer in Miami on Saturday. It was the second meeting between the two within a 48-hour period, focusing on the second phase of the hostage deal. Witkoff had hoped to involve Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and Egyptian intelligence chief Hassan Mahmoud Rashad in the talks, but their schedules did not permit.

An Israeli official pointed out that the mediators were unwilling to negotiate on behalf of Hamas or speak for the group, which led them to refrain from traveling to Miami. The official added that the Americans understood that if the negotiations were to continue, they would need to be conducted in the region.

Witkoff’s upcoming five-day trip will include visits to Qatar, Egypt, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, as he seeks to further the discussions aimed at advancing the ceasefire deal and the release of hostages.