Steve Witkoff, US President Donald Trump's special envoy, said that US discussions with Hamas activists came recently, and that the message to the movement is that the United States wants the hostages back.

Witkoff also said the United States did not believe Hamas was being forthright.

The US envoy to the Middle East praised Egypt for presenting a new plan for Gaza without endorsing the details contained in this proposal as an alternative to President Donald Trump's project for US control of the Palestinian Strip and the expulsion of its residents.

"We need more discussion about it, but it is a first step of good faith on the part of the Egyptians," Witkoff said.

Ceasefire talks with Russia

Witkov said he intends to travel to Saudi Arabia to discuss with Ukrainian envoys a ceasefire with Russia and a "framework" for a permanent peace agreement.

"We are currently in discussions to coordinate a meeting with the Ukrainians in Riyadh or maybe in Jeddah," Witkov said, stressing that "the idea is to establish a framework for a peace agreement and an initial ceasefire." In Kiev, a Ukrainian official told Agence France-Presse that American and Ukrainian delegations will meet in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.