US President-elect Trump’s concern about the hostage situation in Gaza was conveyed to reporters by Steve Witkoff, the real estate tycoon and major Republican donor whom Donald Trump appointed special envoy for the Middle East.

“I pray to God that we have a ceasefire in Gaza before the swearing-in,” he said from Abu Dhabi, where Witkoff is based.

Hamas has submitted a list of hostages it proposes to release in the first phase of a cease-fire deal with Israel, in addition to a list of Palestinians held by Israel that it wants to release as part of a prisoner exchange.

The Hamas list also includes four American citizens, in an apparent gesture to incoming US President Donald Trump, who has threatened to punish those responsible if the hostages are not released before his inauguration on January 20.

“The hostages had better be released before the inauguration, otherwise it won’t be a good day,” Witkoff said.

Asked by reporters if the US sees the UAE as a partner in the region, Trump’s Special Envoy replied: “The Emirates is a wonderful country.”