U.S. President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, is scheduled to return to the region in the coming days to facilitate the extension of the current Gaza ceasefire or to advance to its next phase.
The initial phase of the ceasefire, which began on January 19, has largely held despite occasional violations. However, recent tensions have arisen, with Hamas accusing Israel of attempting to undermine the agreement. In response, Israel has imposed a blockade on Gaza, halting the entry of food and supplies, leading to a surge in food prices and raising concerns about a potential humanitarian crisis.
Witkoff’s mission aims to address these challenges by negotiating terms to either prolong the current ceasefire or transition to its subsequent phase, thereby preventing a relapse into conflict and alleviating the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
