US President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, arrived in Doha on Tuesday evening in an attempt to broker a new agreement for the release of Israeli prisoners and a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, according to US officials, according to US media outlets that accompanied the envoy during his visit to Saudi Arabia in recent days.

These talks are the first since President Trump took office and since the original agreement between Israel and Hamas, which was implemented on January 19, the day before Trump took office, and established a 42-day ceasefire in Gaza in exchange for the release of 33 Israeli detainees in its first phase, which ended on March 1.

Sources said that Weiktov will meet with Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani on Wednesday (March 12). Weiktov praised Qatar on Monday for its "outstanding" mediation efforts, adding that Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates were also helpful.

An Israeli official said Tuesday that Israel hopes the United States can propose extending the ceasefire for about two months, with Hamas releasing about half of the remaining hostages in advance.

Hamas has so far rejected the proposal, insisting that both sides adhere to the framework agreed upon on January 15.

In turn, Israel's Channel 12 News reported Tuesday evening that mediators Qatar, the United States, and Egypt are pushing Hamas to demonstrate its seriousness by accepting the offer, thus providing more time for reaching broader agreements on the ongoing ceasefire.

The Trump administration is pushing for a deal that would lead to the release of all remaining hostages, extend the ceasefire beyond the holy month of Ramadan and the Jewish holiday of Passover, and possibly lead to a long-term truce that would end the war.

Hamas still holds 59 detainees in Gaza, while Israeli forces have confirmed the deaths of 35. Israeli intelligence believes 22 are still alive, and the condition of two others is unknown.

Among the remaining detainees are five Americans, including 21-year-old Aidan Alexander, who is believed to be alive.

The White House revealed on Wednesday, March 5, that the President's Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs, Adam Boehler, had met with senior Hamas officials, with their last meeting having taken place on Tuesday, March 4.

During the talks, Buhler discussed the possible release of Alexander and the remains of four other American hostages as a means of launching a broader deal for the release of all remaining hostages and a long-term truce.

The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday that the Trump administration is shifting its focus away from direct talks with Hamas and returning to key Gaza ceasefire negotiations in Qatar, after its discussions with the Palestinian militant group raised concerns in Israel and yielded little progress.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended Trump's hostage envoy Adam Boehler's meeting with Hamas, but said it was a one-off attempt to secure the release of some hostages and failed. The administration's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, is scheduled to arrive in Doha on Wednesday, where he will attempt to revive talks between Israel and Hamas, which have now stalled after the first phase of a ceasefire agreement reached last January expired.

"That doesn't mean he was wrong to try," Rubio said of Boehler's talks with Hamas as he headed to Saudi Arabia on Monday evening. "But our primary focus is on the ongoing process in Qatar."