The United States Special Envoy to the Middle East says he wants to negotiate an extension to phase one of the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.
Speaking on CNN, Steve Witkoff made the statement when asked about Israel’s decision to postpone the release of Palestinian prisoners and detainees.
“We have to get an extension of phase one,” Witkoff said. “I’ll be going to the region this week, probably Wednesday, to negotiate that.”
Israel failed to keep to their ceasefire pledge to release more than 600 Palestinian prisoners yesterday, citing dissatisfaction with the way that Israeli captives were being released by Hamas.
Hamas has accused Israel of endangering the first phase of the ceasefire by delaying the release of Palestinian detainees, AFP reports:
Hamas on Sunday said Israel has gravely endangered a five-week-old Gaza truce by delaying the release of Palestinian prisoners under the deal because of the manner it has freed Israeli hostages.
The first phase of the truce ends early in March and details of a planned subsequent phase have not been agreed.
Hamas released six Israeli captives on Saturday but Israel put off the planned release of more than 600 Palestinian prisoners in exchange.
Senior Hamas official Bassem Naim said postponing the release exposes “the entire agreement to grave danger”.
Naim said the mediators, “especially the Americans”, must pressure Israel’s government “to implement the agreement as it is and immediately release our prisoners”.
Both sides have accused each other of violations during the ceasefire but it has so far held.
Early Sunday, Netanyahu’s office said: “In light of Hamas’s repeated violations – including the disgraceful ceremonies that dishonour our hostages and the cynical use of hostages for propaganda – it has been decided to delay the release of terrorists.”
