The United States is looking to secure an “extension” of the current ceasefire between Israel and Hamas as the two sides work with mediators to finalize the next stage of the deal. The first phase of the ceasefire agreement,

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.

The Israeli military says the sixth and final hostage was released by Hamas in the latest exchange on Saturday and has arrived back in Israel even as heightened tensions clouded the future of the fragile ceasefire deal.

Israel and Hamas on Sunday accused each other of violating the already fragile Gaza Strip ceasefire deal after Israel delayed the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners who were supposed to be exchanged for hostages.

Hayya, leader of Hamas in Gaza, said the bodies of four hostages would be returned on Thursday. Six living hostages would follow on Saturday.

Israel will start negotiations on a second phase of the ceasefire with Hamas as early as this week, aiming for the complete dismantling of the Palestinian group in Gaza.

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.