US President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff said on Sunday that the United States expects the second phase of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas to go ahead, revealing that he will visit the Middle East this week.

Witkoff made the remarks in an interview with CNN when asked about Israel's decision to delay the release of Palestinian prisoners and his expectations for how developments in the region would affect the ceasefire.

"The first phase must be extended... I will go to the region this week, maybe Wednesday, to negotiate that," he said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office had said that Tel Aviv would not hand over the seventh batch of 620 Palestinian prisoners and detainees "until the release of the next hostages is guaranteed, and without a humiliating ceremony." Hamas handed over six detainees from Gaza on Saturday.

Today, Netanyahu said at a graduation ceremony for officers in the Holon area, "We are prepared to resume intensive fighting at any moment. Our operational plans are ready."

"In Gaza, we have eliminated most of the organized Hamas forces, but there is no doubt that we will achieve the goals of the war in full, whether through negotiations or by other means," he continued.

Hamas: No talks before prisoners' release

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

In contrast, Hamas leader Mahmoud Mardawi said on Sunday that the movement will not hold any talks with Israel through mediators (Egypt and Qatar) regarding any step before the release of the Palestinian prisoners whose release was agreed upon yesterday, Saturday.

Mardawi added, in a statement published on the Telegram platform: "There will be no talk with the enemy through mediators in any step before the release of the prisoners agreed upon to be released in exchange for the 6 Israeli prisoners (released on Saturday and 4 bodies)."