Witkoff Heading to Middle East to Push Negotiations

Trump’s Middle East envoy said he'll be looking for an extension of the Gaza cease-fire’s first phase to secure more time to reach a second-phase agreement.

Hamas terrorists accompany Israeli hostage Eliya Cohen to be handed over to the Red Cross in Nuseirat in the central Gaza Strip, after his release as part of the seventh hostage-prisoner exchange on Feb. 22, 2025. Youssef Alzanoun/Middle East Images via AFP via Getty Images

White House special envoy Steve Witkoff will travel to the Middle East this week to try to jump-start negotiations to continue the cease-fire between Israel and the Hamas terrorist group.

Witkoff told CNN on Feb. 23 that he would seek an extension of the cease-fire’s first phase, which is set to expire on March 2.