Progress has been reported in the negotiations between the US and Hamas regarding a mutual prisoner exchange with Israel. According to a report by Israeli state television KAN, US Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff will visit the region on Tuesday. The report stated that progress was made in discussions between US Hostage Affairs Special Envoy Adam Boehler and Hamas official Halil al-Hayya. Both Hamas and Washington have not yet made any statements confirming the progress in the talks. The news mentioned that US President Donald Trump’s Special Envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, will be visiting the region on Tuesday to discuss extending the first phase of a ceasefire agreement with Hamas. Israel is set to send a delegation to Doha for ceasefire and prisoner exchange negotiations with Gaza, with the delegation’s powers to be determined in today’s cabinet meeting. The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office had previously announced sending a delegation to Doha for negotiations on the second phase of a ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement. Recently, US news site Axios reported that the US was engaging in direct talks with Hamas to secure the release of American-Israeli prisoners held by the group. This announcement by the Washington administration about direct negotiations to secure the release of dual American-Israeli citizens held in Gaza by Hamas had caused concern in Tel Aviv. Reports in the Israeli media indicated that Israel’s Strategic Affairs Minister, Ron Dermer, had expressed opposition to the US presenting an offer to Hamas without Israel’s consent during a meeting with US Hostage Affairs Special Envoy Adam Boehler, who was handling negotiations with Hamas.

ISRAEL VIOLATED THE AGREEMENT: After the 42-day first phase of the ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement with Hamas ended, Tel Aviv announced its decision to halt the entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip from March 2nd. With this violation by Israel, the uncertainty of the ceasefire persisted, while it was reported that in Qatar, US Hostage Affairs Special Envoy Adam Boehler had met with Hamas officials to discuss the release of American prisoners.