US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff attends interview after meeting with Russian officials at Diriyah Palace, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. AFP
"We have to get an extension of phase one, and so I'll be going into the region this week, probably Wednesday, to negotiate that," Witkoff told CNN.
"And we're hopeful that we have the proper time... to begin phase two, and finish it off and get more hostages released."
Hamas condemned Israel’s delay of Palestinian prisoners' release on Sunday, accusing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of attempting to obstruct the ceasefire agreement.
Israel delayed the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners under the pretext of "humiliating ceremonies" conducted by Hamas while releasing Israeli captives on Saturday.
In a statement, Hamas said that the delay of Palestinian prisoners' release once again exposes Israel’s evasiveness and its failure to uphold commitments.
"Netanyahu’s decision to delay the handover of prisoners is a deliberate attempt to obstruct the ceasefire agreement and a clear violation of its terms," the group added.
The Israeli prime minister's office said in a statement late Saturday that freeing Palestinian prisoners under the Gaza ceasefire deal will be delayed until Hamas ends what it claims as "humiliating ceremonies."
The first phase of the truce ends early in March and details of a planned subsequent phase have not been agreed.
With tensions again hanging over the deal, which halted more than 15 months of war, Israel on Sunday announced an expansion of military operations in the occupied West Bank.
Asked if he believed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wanted to extend the ceasefire or resume fighting, Witkoff said he believed the former.
"I believe the Prime Minister is well motivated. He wants to see hostages released, that's for sure. He also wants to protect the State of Israel, and so he's got a red line," he said.
The "red line," he said, was Hamas having a future role in the governance of Gaza.
"I would say at this point, for sure, they can't be any part of governance in Gaza," said Witkoff.
"And, you know as to existing, I'd leave that detail to the prime minister."
* This story was edited by Ahram Online.
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