The ceasefire agreement in Gaza entered its 37th day on Monday, while Israel continues to postpone the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners under the seventh batch of the first phase agreement, as the resistance factions released 6 Israeli kidnapped.
All eyes are on the visit of US President Donald Trump's special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, who will head to the Middle East on Wednesday to discuss extending the first phase of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza.
The first phase of the truce ends in early March, and the second phase of the agreement has not yet been agreed upon, as Washington is pushing to extend the first phase. Witkov said: “The first phase must be extended. I will go to the region this week, perhaps on Wednesday, to negotiate that.”
In addition, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threatened to resume the war on the Gaza Strip, and his office confirmed the postponement of the release of Palestinian prisoners from the first phase agreement, due to what he described as repeated violations by Hamas.
In contrast, Hamas, through its leader Mahmoud Mardawi, said that the movement will not hold any talks with Israel through mediators regarding any step before the release of the Palestinian prisoners who were agreed to be released on Saturday.
US National Security Council spokesman said that US President Donald Trump expressed his support for Israel's decision to postpone the release of 600 Palestinian prisoners.
He added that the US President "is ready to support any path Israel chooses regarding Hamas."
שתף את דעתך
Gaza: Efforts to extend first phase, Netanyahu threatens to resume fighting