US President Donald Trump’s foreign envoy Steve Witkoff said Tuesday that he’s hopeful of having a Gaza ceasefire deal by the end of the week, as negotiators make substantial progress working through remaining issues.

The United Nations, human rights groups and some scholars have condemned the idea of removing people from their homeland in the Gaza Strip.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday that his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump focused on efforts to free hostages held in Gaza, stressing his determination to "eliminate" the military and governmental capabilities of Hamas.