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.”