A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Agence France-Presse that Witkoff "will hold talks in a European destination and may then head to the Middle East to continue his diplomatic efforts."
In press statements, US State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce explained that Witkoff's tour aims to push for a "new ceasefire" in Gaza, noting that "both sides agreed in principle on the need to open a humanitarian corridor to allow aid into the area."
Bruce did not reveal any additional details, saying only that she received the information during a conversation with Senator Marco Rubio prior to the press conference.
In the same vein, The Times of Israel reported Tuesday evening that Witkoff may travel to the Qatari capital, Doha, in the coming days, provided tangible progress is made in the ceasefire and prisoner exchange negotiations between Hamas and Israel.
The Hebrew newspaper quoted an unnamed informed source as saying that Witkoff's visit to Doha would serve as a "political indicator that an agreement is close," but the source added that the US envoy "will not join the negotiating table unless the talks reach the stage of announcing a final understanding."
The source added that the mediators are still awaiting an official response from Hamas regarding an updated Israeli proposal regarding the redeployment of the Israeli army within the Gaza Strip during a 60-day truce.
On Saturday, a Palestinian source revealed to Anadolu Agency that Hamas had received new maps from mediators showing the areas of Israeli control in Gaza and had begun studying them.
Hamas said on Monday that it was proceeding "responsibly and rationally" and as quickly as possible to complete consultations with Palestinian factions to reach what it described as an "honorable agreement" that would lead to "halting the aggression, achieving the Palestinian people's goals of reconstruction, lifting the siege, and ensuring a dignified life for the people of Gaza."
Since July 6, indirect negotiations have been underway in Qatar between Hamas and Israel in a renewed attempt to reach a prisoner exchange and ceasefire agreement.
Over the course of more than 21 months, several rounds of indirect negotiations were held between Israel and Hamas, mediated by Egypt and Qatar and supported by the United States. During this period, two partial agreements were reached: the first in November 2023, and the second in January 2025.
Since October 7, 2023, Israel has been waging a war of extermination in Gaza, including killing, starvation, destruction, and forced displacement, ignoring all international calls and orders from the International Court of Justice to halt it.
The genocide, backed by the United States, left more than 201,000 Palestinians dead and wounded, most of them children and women, and more than 11,000 missing. Hundreds of thousands were displaced, and a famine claimed the lives of many, including dozens of children.
