President Donald Trump has expressed optimism regarding the potential release of hostages held in Gaza, stating he believes they will be freed very soon. This announcement comes as mediators prepare for indirect peace talks between Hamas and Israel in Egypt on Monday. The negotiations follow Hamas's agreement to several elements of a 20-point US peace plan, which includes the release of hostages and transferring governance of Gaza to Palestinian technocrats. However, Hamas is still seeking discussions on other contentious issues.
Importantly, Hamas's response to the peace plan did not address the critical demands for disarmament or its future role in Gaza's governance. When asked about potential flexibility in the negotiations, Trump told reporters that flexibility is unnecessary as there appears to be a consensus among the parties involved. "Everybody has pretty much agreed to it, but there will always be some changes," he added, noting that he had heard negotiations were progressing positively.
Despite Trump's call for Israel to halt its bombing campaign on Friday, Israeli air strikes in Gaza have persisted. Israeli government spokesperson Shosh Bedrosian confirmed that while some bombings have ceased, there is currently no ceasefire in effect. Bedrosian stated that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has authorized defensive actions in response to threats on the battlefield.
Reports from Gaza indicate that Israeli air strikes and tank fire have continued overnight, resulting in significant destruction, including several residential buildings in Gaza City. A BBC correspondent reported hearing explosions and seeing smoke near the Israeli border on Sunday morning. According to Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry, another 65 individuals were killed due to Israeli military operations in just 24 hours leading up to midday Sunday.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized the need for an end to the bombardments to enable the release of hostages. Speaking on CBS News' Face the Nation, he stated, "You can't release hostages while there are still bombardments going on." He reiterated the urgency of resolving logistical issues to facilitate the safe return of hostages. The 20-point peace plan proposes an immediate cessation of hostilities and the release of 48 hostages, with only 20 believed to be alive, in exchange for hundreds of detained Gazans.
During a televised address on Saturday, Netanyahu expressed hope to announce the release of hostages in the coming days, indicating that discussions with the Trump administration would be limited to a few days. The Israeli delegation is set to depart for the crucial talks on Monday, while a Hamas delegation, led by chief negotiator Khalil al-Hayya, is expected to arrive in Cairo.
US special envoy Steve Witkoff, along with Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and Qatari foreign minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, will also participate in the talks. These discussions are anticipated to be among the most significant since the onset of the conflict and could pave the way for a resolution. Many Palestinians found Hamas's response to the peace plan surprising, particularly after indications that the group would reject or condition its acceptance.
Hamas's decision to enter talks without explicit preconditions is seen by many as a recognition of its diminishing leverage following nearly two years of conflict. A senior Palestinian official revealed that mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey played a crucial role in persuading Hamas to moderate its stance and leave contentious issues, such as its weapons and post-war governance, for negotiation.
However, many in Gaza warn that this tactical flexibility carries significant risks. Each day of delay results in more casualties, destruction, and displacement for countless Gazans. Trump's response to concerns about Hamas remaining in power was stark: he indicated that the group would face "complete obliteration" if it insisted on maintaining control over Gaza.
The US president asserted that Israel had agreed to an initial withdrawal line in Gaza, marking the first proposed series of pullbacks by Israeli forces. According to population data, the withdrawal map would initially exclude nearly 900,000 Palestinians from returning to their homes, affecting key areas such as Rafah, Beit Hanoun, and parts of Gaza City.
The Israeli military's campaign in Gaza began following a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages taken. Since the conflict's escalation, Gaza's health ministry reports that over 67,139 individuals have died due to Israeli military operations. The ongoing war has made independent verification of claims from both sides challenging, as international journalists have been barred from entering Gaza since the conflict began.
As negotiators prepare to gather in Egypt, the region holds its breath, hopeful that this round of discussions could finally lead to a ceasefire amid deep-seated mistrust and political fragility.
