Former President Donald Trump praised a noticeable decrease in Israeli military strikes on Gaza as U.S. negotiators make their way to Cairo. Their mission involves discussions with Egyptian, Qatari, and Hamas representatives aimed at bringing an end to the two-year conflict that has devastated the region. In a recent social media post, Trump emphasized the need for Hamas to swiftly capitalize on this reprieve in Israeli combat operations, cautioning that any delays could jeopardize potential agreements.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed optimism on Saturday, stating that he hopes Hamas will return all remaining hostages by October 13, coinciding with the conclusion of an upcoming Jewish holiday. In his statement, Netanyahu remarked, “It is not final yet, we are working on it diligently, and, God willing, I hope that in the coming days, during the Sukkot holiday, I will be able to announce to you the return of all our hostages, the living and the fallen alike, in a single operation.” He also confirmed that the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) would maintain a presence in Gaza during the negotiations.
Reports from Gaza indicate that Israeli bombings, particularly in Gaza City, have significantly subsided after weeks of intense military action. Mohamed Abu Selmiyah, the director of Shifa Hospital, noted that despite the lull, medical teams have documented at least five Palestinian deaths. Additionally, NPR's Anas Baba reported at least three airstrikes overnight into Saturday, highlighting ongoing concerns about the humanitarian situation in the region.
In a significant development, the White House recently introduced a 20-point peace plan, which Hamas has partially accepted. A key stipulation of this plan requires Hamas to release all remaining hostages within three days of its implementation. Following this announcement, Trump called for an immediate halt to the bombings to facilitate the group’s compliance with the hostage release.
Amid growing international and domestic pressure, Netanyahu issued a rare statement late Friday, affirming a commitment to cease hostilities in accordance with Trump's proposed plan. Israeli officials have instructed the military to minimize operations in Gaza and focus solely on defensive maneuvers. According to an anonymous source familiar with the situation, this shift aims to allow Hamas to locate the 48 remaining hostages, with concerns that many may no longer be alive.
U.S. presidential envoy Steve Witkoff is set to lead the American negotiating team in Egypt, accompanied by Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner. The discussions will likely revolve around the positioning of Israeli forces during a phased withdrawal from Gaza, the provision of humanitarian aid, and the scale of a prisoner exchange involving Palestinian detainees in return for the hostages still held in Gaza.
Hamas has indicated that successful negotiations will require consensus from other Palestinian factions, including Islamic Jihad, which recently endorsed Hamas' acceptance of Trump's peace plan. Protests advocating for an end to the conflict have erupted across Europe, reflecting widespread concern for the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. According to Gaza's Health Ministry, the death toll since the beginning of the war has now surpassed 67,000, encompassing both combatants and civilians.
In a show of bipartisan support, Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid publicly endorsed Trump's proposal, expressing willingness to back the Israeli government’s implementation of the plan. Meanwhile, a group representing the families of hostages stated that the prospects of their loved ones’ return have never been more promising.
This evolving situation in Gaza underscores the complexities of international diplomacy and the urgent need for a sustainable resolution to the ongoing conflict.
