President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff said on Sunday the U.S. expects the second phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal to go forward and that he would visit the Middle East in the coming week.

Already, Trump’s threat seems to have moved Hamas. On Thursday, the terrorist group said it would return to releasing Israeli hostages “according to the specified timetable.” It’s not clear whether that will satisfy Trump, who has said he wants an end to the drawn out process. Israel has also not yet responded to Hamas’ offer.

In his statement, Trump appeared to tacitly urge Israel to keep the pressure on for the release of all hostages — and made clear that U.S. support would be rock solid for whatever they needed to

U.S. President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy on Sunday said the U.S. expects the second phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal to go forward. Steve Witkoff made the comment in a CNN interview when asked about Israel's decision to postpone the release of Palestinian prisoners and detainees.

Steve Witkoff, President Trump's special envoy to the Middle East, described the next phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire, his 3.5-hour meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and the administration's approach to the war in Ukraine.

White House envoy Steve Witkoff will travel to the Middle East on Wednesday to discuss with Israel, Qatar and Egypt the possibility of extending the first phase of the Gaza hostage and ceasefire deal.