Trump Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff on Friday warned Hamas that refusing to agree to a proposal to extend the ceasefire and release additional hostages would be a "bad bet."

Witkoff and National Security Council Senior Director for the Middle East and North Africa Eric Trager floated a "bridge" proposal to extend the ongoing ceasefire past Ramadan and Passover and continue to swap hostages for prisoners.

"Unfortunately, Hamas has chosen to respond by publicly claiming flexibility while privately making demands that are entirely impractical without a permanent ceasefire," the pair said in a joint statement. "Hamas is making a very bad bet that time is on its side.  It is not.  Hamas is well aware of the deadline, and should know that we will respond accordingly if that deadline passes."

Witkoff was a leading figure in finalizing the initial ceasefire ahead of Trump's return to the White House. He has since taken a major role in negotiations to end the Ukraine War.

The Israel-Hamas conflict began in October of 2023 following a Hamas raid that saw its forces seize roughly 200 hostages and kill around 1,200 civilians.