US President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff plans to return to the region in coming days to work out a way to either extend the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal or advance to the second phase, Reuters quotes a State Department spokesperson as saying.

“Special Envoy Witkoff plans to return to the region in the coming days to work out either a way to extend Phase I or advance to Phase II,” the spokesperson said.

“The president has made clear and Secretary [Marco] Rubio has repeatedly said all the hostages must be released immediately, and that includes American hostages.”

 Palestinian children carry food past destroyed buildings at the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip on March 3, 2025 during Ramazan. — AFP
Palestinian children carry food past destroyed buildings at the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip on March 3, 2025 during Ramazan. — AFP

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