President Donald Trump declared on Sunday that he believes the hostages in Gaza will begin to be released soon, as negotiators are to meet in Egypt on Monday for indirect talks between Hamas and Israel. Trump said he heard that negotiations are going very well and that everyone has largely agreed on it, although there will always be some adjustments. The negotiations follow after Hamas accepted some elements of a 20-point US peace proposal, such as the release of hostages and transferring control of Gaza to Palestinian technocrats, but the movement is requesting negotiations on other aspects, such as disarmament and their destiny in Gaza.
Israeli Strikes Continue Despite Trump’s Call to Stop Bombing
Israeli airstrikes persisted in Gaza during the weekend despite Trump’s instruction to Israel to halt the bombing immediately on Friday, following Hamas’s reaction to the proposed scheme. Israeli government spokeswoman Shosh Bedrosian informed journalists on Sunday that although some bombings have indeed ceased within the Gaza Strip, there is no ceasefire established at present. She reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered them to shoot back in self-defence if their lives are threatened in the Gaza battleground.
Reports from Gaza indicate that Israel pursued air strikes and tank fire overnight and into Sunday, levelling several residential buildings in Gaza City. A BBC reporter listened to explosions from within Gaza and witnessed a cloud of smoke as near to the border in Kibbutz Be’eri, Israel, on Sunday morning. Another 65 Israelis were killed by Israeli military actions in the 24 hours until midday to Gaza’s Hamas-controlled health ministry. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio informed CBS News that the bombing must end to make way for a hostage release, that you cannot release hostages when bombardment is still in progress.
Key Egypt Negotiations May Define Peace Path
Israeli delegation leaders will travel to Egypt on Sunday evening for the make-or-break negotiations scheduled to begin on Monday. US special envoy Steve Witkoff, Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner and Qatari foreign minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani are also participating in the meetings. The meetings are likely to be among the most significant since the war’s beginning and may clarify whether an opportunity to end the war is finally achievable.
The 20-point plan calls for the immediate cessation of hostilities and the release of 48 hostages, of whom only 20 are believed to be alive, in exchange for hundreds of arrested Gazans. In a televised speech on Saturday, Netanyahu announced that he was hoping to make a declaration about the release of hostages within the next few days. Most Palestinians termed Hamas’ reaction to the peace proposal as sudden, following days of signals that the organisation was getting ready to reject or at least condition strongly its acceptance of Trump’s plan. A senior
A Palestinian who is well-acquainted with the negotiations informed the BBC that Qatari, Egyptian and Turkish mediators were very influential in persuading Hamas to soften its objections and reserve contentious issues for the negotiating table. Trump on social media announced that Israel had signed up to an initial line of withdrawal in Gaza, the first in a planned series of withdrawals by Israeli forces. Based on population distribution information, the withdrawal map released by Trump would leave the return of almost 900,000 Palestinians out of their homes at first.
News At Glance
- Trump maintains he believes Gaza hostages will be released soon, as talks are going very well
- Israeli bombings of Gaza persist even as Trump demanded a halt to the bombing immediately
- The most important peace negotiations are set to start Monday in Egypt with US, Israeli and Qatari diplomats
- Hamas is committed to releasing hostages and transferring control to technocrats, but insists on negotiations over other matters
- Netanyahu is expecting to declare the release of hostages within days amid growing momentum for a ceasefire
FAQs
- When will hostages be released in Gaza?
Trump promises very soon, and Netanyahu aims to declare the release in the upcoming days as the Egyptian negotiations start on Monday.
- How many hostages remain in Gaza?
48 hostages are thought to be held in Gaza, with only 20 thought alive.
- Has Israel ceased bombing Gaza?
No, Israeli bombing continues, although some of the bombings have ceased, and operations have been scaled down to defensive aims only.
- Where are the peace talks taking place?
Mediators will convene in Egypt on Monday for indirect talks between Hamas and Israel.
- What is in the peace plan?
The 20-point plan demands an immediate ceasefire, hostage release for Palestinian prisoners and Israeli pullout.
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