CAIRO: Negotiators from Israel and Hamas were converging on the Egyptian capital on Sunday for crucial talks aimed at ending nearly two years of war in Gaza, amid growing optimism that a deal to release hostages could be reached within days. The renewed diplomatic push follows Hamas’s positive response to US President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace roadmap, which lays out a plan for both the release of captives and the post-war administration of Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that he had ordered his negotiating team to Egypt to “finalise the technical details” of the agreement. Cairo also announced it would host a Hamas delegation to discuss the conditions on the ground and the exchange mechanism for Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners. According to Egyptian state-linked media, indirect talks are expected to take place on Sunday and Monday under Cairo’s mediation.
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In a strong show of US involvement, President Donald Trump dispatched two senior envoys — his son-in-law Jared Kushner and Middle East adviser Steve Witkoff — to Cairo to monitor progress and facilitate negotiations. “I will not tolerate delay,” Trump warned in a statement on Saturday, urging Hamas to move swiftly toward a deal “or else all bets will be off.” In a televised address, Netanyahu attributed Hamas’s willingness to engage to “military and diplomatic pressure”, expressing hope that the hostages could be freed “during the Sukkot holidays”, which begin Monday and last for a week.
On Friday, 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 immediately praised the group’s response, saying it showed Hamas was “ready for a lasting PEACE.” However, Netanyahu made clear that Israel would not compromise on security. “Hamas will be disarmed — either diplomatically via Trump’s plan or militarily by us,” he said.
The Cairo talks mark the most significant progress toward a potential ceasefire and prisoner exchange since the conflict erupted, with hopes mounting that both sides may finally be edging toward an agreement under intense international pressure.