The “phase one extension” would give Israel and Hamas more time to negotiate a permanent ceasefire, said Witkoff.

He did not specify how many Palestinian prisoners Israel would be released for each hostage, saying only that the swap would be “in accordance with previous formulas.”

Rubio said Friday that the swaps Israel has made were “ridiculous trades — 400 people for 3.”

“These are nuts,” said Rubio, speaking to reporters after a meeting with G7 counterparts in Quebec.
“On top of that, you see the condition these people are being released in.”

He declined to say whether the White House would take up the offer made by Hamas on Friday.
“Our priority as the US government is always that we care about all hostages,” said Rubio. “We want all the hostages released.”

After the first phase expired, Israel, with the White House’s subsequent backing, halted the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza.

Under the ceasefire agreement, the flow of aid was to continue as long as talks for the second phase were ongoing.

The first phase saw:
1. Hamas release 33 women, children, civilian men and those deemed “humanitarian cases,” in exchange for —
2. some 1,900 Palestinian prisoners, including over 270 serving life terms in connection with the murders of dozens of Israelis.