Trump’s Middle East envoy calls on Israel to uphold ceasefire ahead of visit

By Zein Khalil, Hamdi Yildiz and Gizem Nisa Cebi

TEL AVIV/ISTANBUL (AA) - US President Donald Trump’s special envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, called on Israel Wednesday to uphold a ceasefire until his visit there and the region.

Israel’s Yediot Ahronot daily said that Witkoff’s visit has been postponed several times for various reasons.

The report said that Witkoff called for the preservation of the ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas until his arrival and that the visit is expected to take place next week.

"Witkoff stressed that Israel must maintain the ceasefire in Gaza until he arrives in the region—even if Hamas refuses to release the hostages," it added.