Negotiators Converge in Cairo for Gaza Ceasefire and Hostage Talks

Negotiators were set to arrive in Cairo on Sunday for talks aimed at ending nearly two years of conflict in Gaza, as Israel’s Prime Minister expressed hope that hostages still held by Hamas could be released within days.

The diplomatic initiative follows a positive response from the Palestinian militant group Hamas to US President Donald Trump’s roadmap for freeing captives and administering post-war Gaza.

Diplomatic Preparations

• Israeli Action: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed on Saturday that he had instructed negotiators to travel to Egypt “to finalise the technical details”.
• Hamas Delegation: Cairo also confirmed it would host a Hamas delegation to discuss “the ground conditions and details of the exchange of all Israeli detainees and Palestinian prisoners”.
• US Envoys: Trump dispatched Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff to Egypt to represent the United States.
• Trump’s Warning: The President urged Hamas to act swiftly, warning:

“I will not tolerate delay… move quickly towards a deal or else all bets will be off.”

Hostage Release Prospects

• Netanyahu credited “military and diplomatic pressure” for Hamas agreeing to release captives.
• He said on Saturday:

“I hope that in the coming days we will be able to bring back all our hostages… during the Sukkot holidays,” referring to the Jewish festival beginning on Monday.

• On Friday night, Hamas announced:

“Its approval for the release of all hostages – living and remains – according to the exchange formula included in President Trump’s proposal.”

• Trump hailed the statement as evidence that Hamas was “ready for a lasting PEACE”.
• Netanyahu emphasised that:

“Hamas will be disarmed… either diplomatically via Trump’s plan or militarily by us.”

Public Response

• On Saturday night, crowds in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem called for an end to the war and urged Trump to ensure a deal was concluded.
• The talks coincide with the approach of the second anniversary of Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, which triggered the current conflict.

Ongoing Strikes

Despite Trump’s call for a pause, Israeli strikes continued across Gaza on Saturday.

• Mahmud Bassal, spokesman for the civil defence agency operating under Hamas, said:

“The death toll from the ongoing Israeli bombardment since dawn today stands at 57, including 40 in Gaza City alone.”

• Resident Mahmud Al-Ghazi added:

“Israel has actually escalated its attacks since Trump’s call for a pause. Who will stop Israel now? We need the negotiations to move faster to stop this genocide and ongoing bloodshed.”

• The Israeli military warned residents that returning to Gaza City remained extremely dangerous.

Governance and Post-War Plans

• A Hamas official confirmed that Egypt, as mediator, would host a conference for Palestinian factions to decide on Gaza’s post-war administration.
• Trump’s roadmap specifies that Hamas and other factions would have no role in governance, calling instead for:
  • Halt to hostilities
  • Hostages released within 72 hours
  • Gradual Israeli withdrawal
  • Disarmament of Hamas
• Administration of Gaza would be overseen by a technocratic body under a post-war transitional authority headed by Trump.
• AFP journalists reported celebratory cries of “Allahu akbar!” in coastal Al-Mawasi as news of Hamas’s statement spread.

“The best thing is that President Trump himself announced a ceasefire, and Netanyahu will not be able to escape this time… he is the only one who can force Israel to comply and stop the war,” said Sami Adas, 50, a resident of Gaza City.