Steve Witkoff, the US envoy for the Middle East, has called on Israel to uphold the ceasefire with Hamas until he visits the region, Al Jazeera reports.

Witkoff’s trip to the Middle East has been postponed several times, but it is likely to take place next week, Israel’s Yediot Ahronot news outlet reported.

“Witkoff stressed that Israel must maintain the ceasefire in Gaza until he arrives in the region — even if Hamas refuses to release the hostages,” the news report said.