US President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy-designate Steve Witkoff gives a speech at the inaugural parade inside Capital One Arena on the inauguration day of Trump’s second presidential term, in Washington, DC, Jan. 20, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Carlos Barria

President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff said on Sunday the US 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.

Witkoff made the comments in a CNN “State of the Union” interview after being asked about Israel’s decision to postpone the release of Palestinian prisoners and detainees and how he expected the ceasefire to be impacted by developments in the region.

“We have to get an extension of phase one,” Witkoff said. “I’ll be going to the region this week, probably Wednesday, to negotiate that.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said on Sunday Israel was waiting to deliver 620 Palestinian prisoners and detainees “until the release of the next hostages has been assured, and without the humiliating ceremonies.” Hamas handed over six hostages from Gaza on Saturday.

Some Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners and detainees have been released as part of a three-phase ceasefire in Gaza that went into effect just before Trump took office on January 20.

Palestinian officials have cited the blindfolding and binding of hands of Palestinian prisoners and detainees and warnings against holding celebrations at their release as examples of their humiliation by Israeli authorities.

Israel cites Hamas making hostages appear on stage in front of crowds and sometimes speak before they are handed over, as well as parading coffins with hostage remains through crowds.

Witkoff told CNN that Netanyahu was “well-motivated” and that Hamas cannot continue to govern Gaza.

Trump himself has faced international condemnation for his proposal to take over Gaza and permanently displace Palestinians there. Rights experts and the United Nations have called it a proposal for ethnic cleansing.

The post Trump Envoy Says US Expects Phase Two of Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Deal to Proceed first appeared on Algemeiner.com.

A person waves a flag adopted by the new Syrian rulers, as people gather during a celebration called by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) near the Umayyad Mosque, after the ousting of Syria’s Bashar al-Assad, in Damascus, Syria, Photo: December 20, 2024. Photo: REUTERS/Ammar Awad/File Photo

Israel on Sunday said it will not tolerate presence of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in southern Syria, nor any other forces affiliated with the country’s new rulers, and demanded the territory be demilitarized.

Former Al Qaeda affiliate HTS took control of Damascus on December 8 in a stunning offensive, ending then-president Bashar al-Assad’s rule and prompting a wary Israel to move forces into a U.N.-monitored demilitarized zone within Syria.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel will keep its positions there as a defensive measure and for as long as is necessary.

“We will not allow forces of the HTS or the new Syrian army to enter the territory south of Damascus. We demand full demilitarization of southern Syria, in the provinces of Quneitra, Daraa and Sweida,” Netanyahu said at a military graduation ceremony.

“And we will not tolerate any threat to the Druze sect in southern Syria,” he added. The Druze, who practice an offshoot of Islam, are a minority group in Syria as well as Israel.

Syria has demanded Israel withdraw its forces from the country. The United Nations says Israel’s move into Syrian territory is a violation of international agreements and has also called for the troops to be withdrawn.

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Ariel and Kfir Bibas. Photo: Hostages and Missing Families Forum

i24 News – The Bibas family thanked Israelis for their ongoing support on Sunday, following their receiving the bodies of Kfir, Ariel, and Shiri last week.

“During these painful and difficult days, there are no words to describe the level of gratitude that we feel towards all of you,” the family said in a statement. “The warm embrace, the love and the strength that you have sent us from all over Israel and the world strength us and accompany us during these moments of crisis.”

The bodies of four-year-old Ariel and nine-month-old Kfir were returned to Israel on Thursday, along with 83-year-old Oded Lifshitz. Another body, purportedly belonging to Shiri, was also returned, although forensic tests identified her as an unknown Gazan woman.

Her body was transferred over the weekend, ahead of the release of six living Israeli hostages.

“We sense the open hearts, the enormous embrace, your pain alongside our pain – which we don’t take for granted,” the statement said.

The funerals will be held on Wednesday, with the family requesting it remain a small ceremony “only be for members of the family and close friends.”

That being said, the Bibas family said it appreciated the support, and wished to make room for well-wishers by publishing the route of the funeral procession. Eulogies will be broadcast, with details forthcoming.

“We thank you all from the bottom of our hearts – for the love, for the embrace, for the tears that we have all shed,” the statement said. “We don’t have sufficient words to express our appreciation for all that you have given us at this time.”

“Please respect our choice to say our goodbyes during these final moments in the way that is right for us. The knowledge that you are with us, that your hearts are beating alongside ours, strengthens us with every breath.”

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