Hamas says Trump call for Israel to stop bombing Gaza is ‘encouraging’

Hamas insists seven Palestinian leaders be freed in hostage-prisoner swap: sources close to negotiators

Hamas insists that the list of prisoners Israel is set to release under a Gaza ceasefire deal includes seven senior Palestinian leaders, sources close to negotiators told AFP Sunday.

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“Hamas insists that the final list include seven senior leaders, most notably Marwan Barghouti, Ahmad Saadat, Ibrahim Hamed, and Abbas Al-Sayyed,” a source said. The detail was confirmed by a second source.

The first source also said that Hamas and its allied militant groups had “completed all preparations” for handing over to Israel all the living hostages and some of the deceased ones held in Gaza.

AFP

No Israeli officials will attend Egypt peace summit: PM office

Israel will not send a representative to the peace summit for Gaza that will be hosted by US President Donald Trump and his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Monday in Sharm el-Sheikh.

“No Israeli official will attend,” Shosh Bedrosian, a spokeswoman for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, told AFP on Sunday.

Hamas will not govern post-war Gaza: Hamas source close to negotiating committee

A Hamas source close to the negotiating team told AFP on Sunday that the movement will not participate in governing Gaza in the transitional phase following the war with Israel, days after a ceasefire in the territory came into effect. The source, speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, said, “For Hamas, the issue of governing the Gaza Strip is a closed issue. Hamas will not participate at all in the transitional phase, which means it has relinquished control of the Strip, but it remains a fundamental element of the Palestinian fabric.”

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AFP

EU Council President Antonio Costa to represent bloc at Gaza summit

The president of the EU Council Antonio Costa will represent the bloc at Monday’s Sharm el-Sheikh Peace Summit on Gaza, a spokesperson said Sunday.

The Middle East Peace Plan “offers a real chance to build a just and sustainable peace, and the EU is fully committed to supporting these efforts and contributing to its implementation,” the spokesperson said.

AFP

Jordan king to attend Gaza peace summit in Egypt: state TV

Jordan’s King Abdullah II will attend an international Gaza peace summit in Egypt on Monday, state media reported.

“Jordan will participate in Sharm el-Sheikh Peace Summit, scheduled to be held on Monday, co-chaired by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and US President Donald Trump, with the participation of leaders from more than 20 countries,” the website of Al-Mamlaka TV said Sunday, citing a Jordanian official source.

UN chief Guterres to attend Gaza peace summit in Egypt

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will attend an international summit in Egypt next week chaired by US President Donald Trump on his peace plan for Gaza, a UN spokesman said Saturday. Guterres “is traveling to Egypt to attend on Monday the Sharm El-Sheikh Summit for Peace,” his spokesman’s office said, adding that Guterres will return to UN headquarters on Wednesday.

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UK’s Starmer to attend ‘Middle East peace summit’ in Egypt

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will on Monday attend a Middle East peace summit for the signing ceremony of the Gaza deal, his office said, following a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. “The Prime Minister will travel to Egypt to attend the Sharm El-Sheikh Peace Summit on Monday,” Downing Street said Saturday, referring to the seaside town in Egypt. US President Donald Trump is also expected to attend. “He will attend the signing ceremony of the peace plan for Gaza — marking a historic turning point for the region after two years of conflict and bloodshed,” it said.

Trump, Sisi to chair Gaza peace summit on Monday: Egypt

US President Donald Trump and his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi will on Monday chair over a Gaza peace summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, the Egyptian presidency said on Saturday.

The meeting will take place on Monday afternoon “with the participation of leaders from more than twenty countries,” it said.

The meeting will aim “to end the war in the Gaza Strip, enhance efforts to achieve peace and stability in the Middle East, and usher in a new era of regional security and stability”.

Hamas expects a second phase of negotiations with Israel to be “more difficult and complex” (Hamas official)

A Hamas leader told AFP on Saturday that the movement expects a second phase of negotiations with Israel to be “more difficult and complex.” Hussam Badran, a leader in the Palestinian movement’s political bureau, said in an interview in Doha that “the second phase of the Trump plan, it is clear from the points themselves, includes many complications and many difficulties, and this requires negotiations that may be longer.”

AFP

‘Absurd’ for Hamas members to leave Gaza, official says

The proposal for Hamas members to leave the Gaza Strip under US President Donald Trump’s peace plan is “absurd”, a senior official from the Palestinian militant group told AFP on Saturday.

“Talk about expelling Palestinians, whether they’re Hamas members or not, from their land is absurd and nonsense,” political bureau member Hossam Badran said in an interview.

AFP

Hamas to miss Gaza peace deal formal signing: official to AFP

A Hamas official on Saturday told AFP the group would not take part in the formal signing of the Gaza peace deal in Egypt.

“The matter of the official signing — we will not be involved,” political bureau member Hossam Badran said in an interview, adding that Hamas “acted principally through… Qatari and Egyptian mediators” during ceasefire talks in Egypt.

AFP

France’s Macron heads to Egypt on Monday to back Gaza ceasefire deal

French President Emmanuel Macron is scheduled to travel to Egypt on Monday to support the US-brokered ceasefire in Gaza and discuss its implementation.

AFP

Israel completes first phase of Gaza withdrawal: US envoy, citing Pentagon

Israel’s Defense Forces have completed the first phase of their withdrawal from Gaza, commencing the 72-hour period for the hostages’ release, a top White House envoy said Friday, citing the Pentagon.

The US military’s Central Command “has confirmed that the Israeli Defense Forces completed the first phase withdrawal to the yellow line at 12PM local time,” President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff said on X. “The 72 hour period to release the hostages has begun.”

Israel publishes list of 250 prisoners due to be freed in hostage swap

The Israeli Ministry of Justice published on Friday a list of 250 Palestinian prisoners expected to be released as part of a prisoner exchange agreement with Hamas for Israeli hostages held in Gaza. The list does not include the names of several prominent Palestinian leaders who are symbols of the Palestinian armed struggle against Israel and whose release Hamas has demanded, such as Marwan Barghouti, Ahmed Saadat, and Hassan Salameh.

AFP

Netanyahu announces that 20 of the hostages in Gaza are alive and 28 are dead.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Friday that 20 hostages were still alive in Gaza, while 28 others were dead, expressing his hope for a “national day of joy” with the return of all the hostages as part of the agreement with Hamas. Netanyahu said in a video address that of the 48 hostages (47 were kidnapped on October 7

AFP

Thousands of Gazans begin heading north as ceasefire announced

Thousands of Gazans began heading north in the territory after the Israeli military announced that a ceasefire had come into effect on Friday, AFP footage showed.

News cameras captured queues of men, women and children walking along the coastal road after the start of the truce at 0900 GMT.

The Israeli army says the ceasefire went into effect as of Friday noon.

The Israeli military said a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip went into effect at noon local time (9:00 GMT) on Friday, after Israel and Hamas agreed to a truce and hostage exchange under an initiative proposed by US President Donald Trump. “The ceasefire agreement went into effect at 12:00,” the Israeli military said in a statement, adding that “since 12:00 (09:00 GMT), IDF forces have begun positioning themselves along their new deployment lines in preparation for the implementation of the truce agreement and the return of the hostages.”

AFP

Team of 200 US troops to ‘oversee’ Gaza truce: US officials

A US military team of 200 people will be deployed in the Middle East to “oversee” the Gaza ceasefire between Israel and Hamas after a peace deal brokered by President Trump.

AFP

Israel government approves Gaza hostage release deal: statement

The Israeli government early Friday approved a deal to secure the release of all hostages held in Gaza, both living and deceased, a statement issued by the prime minister’s office said. “The government has just approved the framework for the release of all the hostages — both the living and the deceased,” the statement said.

AFP

‘Nobody’s going to be forced to leave’ Gaza, Trump says

US President Donald Trump said Thursday that no one in Gaza would be forced to leave the territory under his peace plan, after Israel and Hamas signed off on the first phase of the deal.

“Nobody’s going to be forced to leave. No, it’s just the opposite. This is a great plan. This is a great peace plan. This is a plan that was supported by everybody,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.

AFP

Top Hamas negotiator says received assurances from US, mediators that war has ended

Lead Hamas negotiator said in a speech televised on Al Jazeera on Thursday that the militant group had received assurances from the United States and other mediators that its war with Israel had come to an end.

“We have received assurances from the brotherly mediators and the US administration, all confirming that the war has come to a complete end,” Khalil al-Hayya said.

AFP

Egypt urges Israel to ‘deescalate or cease fire’ until Gaza deal is signed

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Thursday urged mediators to “convince the Israelis to deescalate or cease fire” until the signing of the agreement to end the war in Gaza.

In a meeting with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, he said developments in Gaza, where Israeli strikes continued Thursday, “may not be in the spirit of the agreement”.

AFP

Trump says ‘there will be disarming’ in next phase of Gaza deal

US President Donald Trump said Thursday that disarmament would be part of the second phase of a Gaza deal, with Israel insisting that Hamas must give up its weapons.

“I’m not going to talk about that because you sort of know what phase two is. But… there will be disarming,” Trump told reporters at a cabinet meeting, adding that there would also be “pullbacks” by Israeli forces.

AFP

Trump says will ‘try’ to go to Egypt for Gaza deal signing

US President Donald Trump said Thursday he would try to go to Egypt for the signing of a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas.
“I’m going to try and make a trip over. We’re going to try and get over there, and we’re working on the timing, the exact timing,” Trump said at a cabinet meeting.
Trump added that hostages held in the Palestinian territory would be released on “Monday or Tuesday” and said that the deal had “ended the war in Gaza.”

AFP

Release of all hostages should bring end to Gaza war: Israel FM

The release of all hostages held by Hamas, as stipulated under a newly signed first phase of a Gaza ceasefire deal, should bring about an end to the two-year war, Israel’s foreign minister said in an interview Thursday.

“There will be a ceasefire and then the commitment within 72 hours of Hamas to release all the hostages. I believe that can — that should bring the end to this war,” Gideon Saar told Fox News Channel’s Jennifer Griffin.

Iran welcomes Hamas-Israel ceasefire deal

Iran on Thursday welcomed the Gaza ceasefire agreement between Hamas, which it has supported for years, and Israel, its arch-nemesis.

“Iran has always supported any action and initiative that includes stopping the genocidal war, withdrawal of the occupying forces, bringing in humanitarian aid, releasing Palestinian prisoners and realising the fundamental rights of the Palestinians,” the foreign ministry said in a statement.

AFP

Israel says Gaza ceasefire to begin ‘within 24 hours’ after security cabinet meeting

Israel said Thursday that a ceasefire in Gaza would begin “within 24 hours” after a meeting of the security cabinet scheduled for 1400 GMT Thursday.

“Within 24 hours after the cabinet meeting takes place, a ceasefire will then begin in Gaza,” government spokeswoman Shosh Bedrosian told journalists.

AFP

Israel says final draft of Gaza phase one deal signed in Egypt ‘by all parties’

Israel announced Thursday that all relevant parties had signed the final draft of the agreement on the first phase of US President Donald Trump’s plan to end the war in the Gaza Strip in Egypt. “The final draft of the first phase was signed this morning in Egypt by all parties to release all hostages” held in the Gaza Strip since October 7, Israeli government spokeswoman Shosh Bedrosian told reporters.

AFP

Israel PM, Trump had ’emotional and warm’ call after Gaza deal announced: spokeswoman

An Israeli government spokeswoman said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump held an “emotional” phone call on Thursday following the announcement of a Gaza deal between Israel and Hamas. “In a phone call earlier this morning, Prime Minister Netanyahu thanked President Trump for his global leadership efforts to make this all possible,” Shosh Bedrosian told journalists. “It was a very emotional and a warm conversation as both leaders congratulated each other on this historic achievement,” she added.

AFP

Israel says jailed Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouti will not be exchanged for hostages

An Israeli government spokeswoman on Thursday said high profile Palestinian prisoner Marwan Barghouti would not be exchanged as part of the Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal reached by Israel and Hamas.

When asked by a journalist whether Israel had agreed to release Barghouti, government spokeswoman Shosh Bedrosian told a briefing that: “I can tell you at this point in time that he will not be part of this release.”

Barghouti — from Hamas’s rival, the Fatah movement — was among the Palestinian prisoners Hamas wanted to see released as part of the Gaza deal, according to Egyptian state-linked media.

AFP

Gaza talks host Egypt hails ‘pivotal moment’ after deal announced

Egypt’s foreign ministry on Thursday hailed the “recent positive developments in Sharm El-Sheikh, which represent a pivotal moment in the war in Gaza”, hours after a deal was announced between Hamas and Israel.

The statement said Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty would travel to Paris on Thursday for a ministerial meeting to “discuss arrangements for the situation in the Gaza Strip”, after mediators Egypt, Qatar, the US and Turkey brokered a deal for the first phase of a Gaza ceasefire.

AFP

Hamas and Israel exchanged lists of prisoners to be released (Hamas leader to AFP)

‘Optimism prevails among all parties’ in Gaza talks: Hamas official to AFP

A senior Hamas official said on Wednesday that negotiations held in Egypt for an end to the war in Gaza were advancing in a “spirit of optimism”.

“The mediators are making great efforts to remove any obstacles to the implementation of the ceasefire, and a spirit of optimism prevails among all parties,” Taher al-Nunu told AFP from the Egyptian resort town of Sharm El-Sheikh, where indirect talks began on Monday between Israel and Hamas.

The Palestinian militant group submitted a list of prisoners it wants to be released in the first phase of the truce “in accordance with the agreed-upon criteria and numbers,” Nunu added. In exchange, Hamas is set to release 47 hostages, both alive and dead, it seized in its October 7, 2023 attack on Israel.

AFP

Erdogan says Trump asked Turkey to ‘persuade Hamas’ on Gaza peace

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that US President Donald Trump asked Türkiye to “convince” Hamas to accept his plan to end the war in Gaza.

AFP

Hamas “wants guarantees from Trump and the sponsoring states” to stop the war in Gaza (Khalil Al-Hayya)

AFP

Qatar PM to join Gaza peace talks in Egypt: foreign ministry

Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani will attend the ongoing Gaza peace talks in the Egyptian resort town of Sharm El-Sheikh on Wednesday, the foreign ministry said.

Sheikh Mohammed’s “participation in the meetings… comes at a critical stage of the talks, reaffirming the determination of the mediators to reach an agreement that would bring an end to the catastrophic war in the Gaza Strip,” the ministry said Tuesday on X.

A Turkish delegation will participate in talks in Egypt on ending the war in Gaza.

A Turkish delegation headed by intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin will participate in ongoing talks in Egypt on Wednesday aimed at reaching an agreement to end the war in Gaza, the state-run Anadolu Agency reported Tuesday. Citing security sources, the agency said Kalin “held bilateral talks with American, Egyptian, Qatari, and Hamas officials ahead of the negotiations.”

Trump sees a “real opportunity” for a peace deal in Gaza

US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that there is a “real opportunity” to reach a peace agreement in Gaza, as indirect talks between Israel and Hamas continue on the second anniversary of the October 7 attacks.

AFP

Hamas says working to ‘surmount all obstacles’ in Gaza truce talks

Hamas said Tuesday it was working to overcome “all obstacles” as Palestinian militant leaders held indirect talks with Israel aimed at ending the two-year Gaza war.

“The delegation of the movement participating in the current negotiations in Egypt seeks to surmount all obstacles to achieving an agreement that fulfils the aspirations of our people in Gaza,” senior Hamas official Fawzi Barhoum said in a televised speech.

AFP

Qatar says Israel should have already ceased fire under Trump plan for Gaza

Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesman said on Tuesday that Israel should have ceased operations in Gaza already in line with US President Donald Trump’s peace plan. “We await the outcomes of the negotiations in the coming days regarding the ceasefire. This question should be directed first to the Israeli occupation government. It was supposed to actually cease fire if the statements made by the prime minister there regarding adherence to the Trump plan were true,” Majed al-Ansari told reporters in Doha.

AFP

US envoy Witkoff to lead delegation joining Gaza talks Wednesday: Egypt FM

A US delegation led by presidential envoy Steve Witkoff will join talks aimed at a truce in Gaza and hostage and prisoner exchange on Wednesday, Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said.

In a joint press conference with his German counterpart, Abdelatty said Tuesday he and Johann Wadephul “had a long conversation with Steve Witkoff, who is expected in Egypt in the coming hours”.

AFP

Guterres calls for an immediate end to hostilities in Gaza, Israel, and the region.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Tuesday called for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held in Gaza and an end to Israeli hostilities.

AFP

Gaza talks ‘positive’, resuming Tuesday: sources close to Hamas negotiators

Indirect talks in Egypt between Israel and Hamas have been “positive” so far, two sources close to the Palestinian militants’ negotiating team told AFP on Tuesday, with discussions set to resume around midday. “The talks were positive last night, with the first round lasting four hours,” one of the sources said. “The indirect negotiations are scheduled to resume at midday,” he added. Another Palestinian source confirmed the talks would resume in the Egyptian resort town of Sharm El-Sheikh Tuesday.

AFP

First round of Hamas, mediator talks ends in ‘positive atmosphere

The first round of Gaza talks between Hamas and mediators have ended in Egypt “amid a positive atmosphere”, Egyptian state-linked media reported early on Tuesday.

Al-Qahera News, which is linked to state intelligence, reported the talks will continue on Tuesday, also between Hamas and mediators in the resort town of Sharm El-Sheikh, where an Israeli delegation arrived on Monday.

Israel and Hamas are expected to engage in indirect talks on the details of a proposal by US President Donald Trump for a hostage-prisoner exchange and long-term ceasefire.

Trump says Hamas ‘agreeing to things that are very important’

US President Donald Trump said Monday that Hamas was agreeing to “very important” issues as the Palestinian militant group opened indirect talks with Israel on a Gaza peace deal. “I think we’re doing very well and I think Hamas has been agreeing to things that are very important,” Trump said when asked about the talks by reporters in the Oval Office.

AFP

Indirect Gaza talks begin between Hamas, Israel in Egypt

Negotiators from Israel and Hamas began indirect discussions in Egypt’s Sharm El-Sheikh on Monday for a hostage-prisoner exchange and Gaza ceasefire, Egyptian state-linked media reported.

Al-Qahera News, which is linked to state intelligence, said the delegations “are discussing preparing ground conditions for the release of detainees and prisoners”, in line with a proposal from US President Donald Trump to end the war in Gaza.

“Egyptian and Qatari mediators are working with both sides to establish a mechanism” for the exchange, they added.

AFP

Kallas: The European Union wants to participate in the transitional authority in Gaza.

European Union foreign policy chief Kaya Kallas announced on Monday that the continental bloc is interested in participating in the interim authority in Gaza, which is part of US President Donald Trump’s plan to end the war in the Strip. Asked whether the EU was willing to participate in the “Peace Council,” Kallas said, “Yes, we believe that Europe has a major role to play and we should also be part of it.”

AFP

Hamas, Israel delegates arrive in Sharm El-Sheikh for Gaza talks

Delegates from Hamas and Israel arrived in the Egyptian resort of Sharm El-Sheikh on Monday, an airport source told AFP, ahead of indirect talks aimed at ending the Gaza war.

The negotiations mediated by Egypt, Qatar and the United States are set to discuss the details of a proposal by US President Donald Trump for a prisoner-hostage exchange and a ceasefire in Gaza.

AFP

Egypt’s Sisi praises Trump Gaza plan ahead of indirect Hamas-Israel talks

أشاد الرئيس المصري عبد الفتاح السيسي بخطة الرئيس الأمريكي دونالد ترامب بشأن غزة يوم الاثنين، بالتزامن مع اجتماع مفاوضين من حماس وإسرائيل والولايات المتحدة في مصر لمناقشة تبادل الأسرى ووقف إطلاق النار. وقال في خطابه: “لا يسعني إلا أن أشيد بالرئيس الأمريكي دونالد ترامب وأُعرب عن تقديري له”، مضيفًا: “إن وقف إطلاق النار، وعودة الأسرى والمعتقلين، وإعادة إعمار غزة، وإطلاق عملية سياسية سلمية تُفضي إلى إقامة الدولة الفلسطينية والاعتراف بها، يعني أننا نسير على الطريق الصحيح نحو السلام والاستقرار الدائمين”.

AFP

Trump urges Gaza peace negotiators to ‘move fast’

US President Donald Trump on Sunday urged Hamas and Israeli negotiators gathering in Egypt for crucial talks aimed at ending the war in Gaza to “move fast,” adding that there had been “very positive discussions” with the Palestinian armed group.

“There have been very positive discussions with Hamas, and Countries from all over the World (Arab, Muslim, and everyone else) this weekend, to release the Hostages, end the War in Gaza but, more importantly, finally have long sought PEACE in the Middle East,” he posted on his Truth Social platform.

“These talks have been very successful, and proceeding rapidly. The technical teams will again meet Monday, in Egypt, to work through and clarify the final details. I am told that the first phase should be completed this week, and I am asking everyone to MOVE FAST.”

AFP

Hamas’ chief negotiator, Khalil al-Hayya, arrives in Egypt ahead of the start of negotiations on Gaza.

Hamas’ chief negotiator, Khalil al-Hayya, arrived in Egypt on Sunday, heading a delegation to participate in indirect talks with Israel, according to a statement from the Palestinian movement. The movement’s statement said the delegation arrived “to begin negotiations on the mechanisms for a ceasefire, the withdrawal of occupation forces, and the exchange of prisoners” in the Gaza Strip.

AFP

Iran backs moves towards Palestinian ‘self-determination’

Hamas-backer Iran said Sunday it supports “any initiative” aiming to secure “self-determination” for the Palestinian people, on the eve of negotiations in Egypt on ending the war between the Palestinian militants and Israel.

Iran “has always supported any initiative aimed at ending ethnic cleansing, war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza, and paving the way for the realisation of the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination,” the Iranian foreign ministry said in a statement, adding that Tehran was ready to help deliver aid to the coastal strip.

AFP

Israeli bombing must stop for Gaza hostage release: Rubio

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Sunday that the Israeli bombing of the Gaza Strip should stop if an agreement is reached regarding the release of hostages held by Hamas. Rubio told CBS, “Once the logistical details are agreed upon, I think the Israelis and everyone else will recognize that it is impossible to release hostages amidst the bombing. So the bombing has to stop,” stressing that such an agreement must be reached “very quickly.”

AFP

Israel says negotiators heading to Egypt Sunday night, Gaza talks to begin Monday

Israel said Sunday that its team of negotiators would depart for Egypt later in the day for indirect talks with Hamas expected to begin on Monday.

“The team will be leaving tonight, with plans for talks to begin tomorrow,” government spokeswoman Shosh Badrosian told reporters, describing the discussions as “technical” in nature.

AFP

Netanyahu vows to disarm Hamas through Trump’s plan or militarily

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed on Saturday to disarm Hamas, either through the peace plan proposed by US President Donald Trump or by military means.

“Hamas will be disarmed … it will happen either diplomatically via Tump’s plan or militarily by us,” Netanyahu said in a televised statement.

“I also told Washington that. It will be achieved either the easy way or the hard way, but it will be achieved.”

AFP

Israel’s Netanyahu says negotiators heading to Egypt for Gaza talks

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Saturday that he had instructed negotiators to travel to Egypt for talks over a Gaza deal.

“I have instructed the negotiating team to go to Egypt to finalise the technical details. The intention is to limit the negotiations to a few days,” Netanyahu said in a televised statement, without specifying when the talks would take place.

His announcement came after a White House official said that two envoys of US President Donald Trump were headed to Egypt to discuss the release of hostages.

AFP

Netanyahu says diplomatic, military pressure made Hamas agree to free hostages

AFP

Netanyahu says hoping to bring back all Gaza hostages ‘in coming days’

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Saturday that he hoped that all hostages held in Gaza would be returned home in the coming days.

“I hope that in the coming days we will be able to bring back all our hostages… during the Sukkot holidays,” Netanyahu said in a televised statement, adding that “military and diplomatic pressure” had compelled Hamas to agree to release the captives.

The Jewish holiday of Sukkot begins on Monday and lasts until the following Monday.

AFP

Gaza civil defence says at least 57 killed in Israeli strikes since dawn

The Civil Defense in the Gaza Strip announced that at least 57 people have been killed in Israeli strikes since dawn on Saturday, despite President Donald Trump’s call for the Jewish state to halt the bombing after Hamas agreed to release hostages under his proposal to end the war. “The death toll from the ongoing Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip since dawn today has risen to 57 martyrs, including 40 in Gaza City,” spokesman Mahmoud Basal told AFP.

AFP

Hamas, Israel to hold indirect Gaza hostage talks in Cairo

Hamas and Israel will engage in indirect talks in Cairo on Sunday and Monday to secure the release of hostages and detainees, Egyptian state-linked media reported Saturday.

Al-Qahera News, which is closely linked to Egypt’s intelligence service, reported that both delegations “have begun moving to launch talks in Cairo tomorrow and the day after, to discuss arranging the ground conditions for the exchange of all detainees and prisoners, in accordance with Trump’s proposal”.

Al Qaherah News

Trump says ‘will not tolerate delay’ from Hamas on peace deal

US President Donald Trump on Saturday warned Palestinian group Hamas to “move quickly” and agree to a peace deal with Israel or risk further devastation in Gaza.

“Hamas must move quickly, or else all bets will be off. I will not tolerate delay, which many think will happen, or any outcome where Gaza poses a threat again,” Trump posted on his Truth Social page. “Let’s get this done, FAST.”

He also expressed appreciation that “Israel has temporarily stopped the bombing in order to give the Hostage release and Peace Deal a chance to be completed,” although the enclave’s civil defense agency said Israel carried out dozens of attacks on Gaza City overnight.

AFP

Trump envoys Witkoff, Kushner head to Egypt to discuss hostage releases: White House

A White House official said that President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and his Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, left for Egypt on Saturday to discuss the release of hostages in Gaza after Hamas accepted the US president’s plan. The official, who requested anonymity, told AFP that Kushner and Witkoff were in Egypt to finalize details of the release process. Trump called on Israel on Friday to “stop bombing Gaza immediately” after Hamas announced in a statement its acceptance of his plan.

AFP

UN rights chief says chance to stop Gaza carnage ‘once and for all’

UN rights chief Volker Turk on Saturday said US President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan was a “vital opportunity” to stop bloodshed and misery in the Palestinian territory “once and for all”.

“This is a vital opportunity for all parties and influential states to pursue in good faith and stop — once and for all — the carnage and the suffering in Gaza, to flood the strip with humanitarian aid, and to ensure the release of the hostages and numerous detained Palestinians,” his office said on X.

AFP

Hamas official says Egypt to host Palestinian conference on Gaza future

A senior Hamas official said Saturday that Egypt would organise a conference for Palestinian factions to decide on the post-war future of the Gaza Strip, after the group accepted to release hostages under a US ceasefire plan.

Egypt will host an “intra-Palestinian dialogue on Palestinian unity and the future of Gaza, including the administration of the Gaza Strip”, the official told AFP.

Hamas on Friday said it would release hostages held in Gaza under US President Donald Trump’s ceasefire plan, but did not address the issue of its disarmament and its exile from the Palestinian territory after the war’s end.

AFP

Hamas says ready to begin talks to finalise all issues in Gaza ceasefire deal

Hamas said Saturday that the Palestinian Islamist group was ready to start talks to resolve all outstanding issues under US President Donald Trump’s Gaza ceasefire deal.

“We are ready to begin negotiations immediately to finalise all issues,” a senior Hamas official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

The group said Friday that it was ready to release all hostages held in the Gaza Strip, but did not address calls for its disarmament and its exile from the Palestinian territory after the war’s end.

AFP

EU chief says Hamas response to Trump plan ‘encouraging’

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen on Saturday welcomed Hamas’s positive reaction to a peace deal proposed by US President Donald Trump, and said halting the war in Gaza was “within reach”. “Hamas’ stated readiness to release hostages and engage on the basis of the recent proposal is encouraging,” von der Leyen wrote on X. “This moment must be seized. An immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the release of all hostages are within reach.”

AFP

The Israeli army confirms the continuation of its operations in Gaza City and warns residents against returning there.

AFP

Israel hostage families say ‘essential’ for immediate end to Gaza war

The main Israeli group representing the families of hostages held in Gaza said on Saturday that it was “essential” to immediately end the war, as Israel bombarded the territory even after US President Donald Trump called on it to stop.

“President Trump’s demand to stop the war immediately is essential to prevent serious and irreversible harm to the hostages,” the Hostages and Missing Families Forum said in a statement.

“We call on Prime Minister (Benjamin) Netanyahu to immediately begin efficient and swift negotiations to bring all our hostages home,” it added.

AFP

Gaza Civil Defense reports dozens of Israeli strikes despite Trump’s call to halt the bombing.

AFP

Israel preparing ‘immediate implementation’ of hostage release plan: PM’s office

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said on Saturday that Israel was seeking the “immediate implementation” of US President Donald Trump’s plan to free Israeli hostages in Gaza, after Hamas said it was ready for peace talks. “In light of Hamas’s response, Israel is preparing for the immediate implementation of the first stage of the Trump plan for the release of all the hostages,” Netanyahu’s office said in a statement. “We will continue to work in full cooperation with the President and his team to end the war in accordance with the principles set out by Israel, which align with President Trump’s vision.”

AFP

Hamas acceptance ‘a significant step forwards’: Britain’s Starmer

AFP

Trump says ‘everyone will be treated fairly’ in Gaza deal

US President Donald Trump pledged in a short video on Friday to treat all parties fairly in the Gaza talks, praising Hamas’ apparent agreement to release the hostages, calling it a “special day.” “Everyone will be treated fairly,” Trump said in a one-minute message posted on his personal page on Truth Social. “This is a very special day, perhaps unprecedented.”

AFP

German Chancellor Merz hails ‘best chance for peace’ in Gaza

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Saturday that “peace in Gaza and the release of the hostages are within reach” after Hamas agreed “in principle” to US President Donald Trump’s peace plan. In posts on the X platform, Merz added that the plan represents “the best chance for peace” in the conflict, and that Germany “fully supports” Trump’s call “for both sides.”

AFP

Macron: Gaza ceasefire and hostage release ‘within reach’

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Friday that a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages held in the Palestinian territories were “within reach.” This followed Hamas’s announcement of readiness for peace talks. Macron wrote on Twitter: “The release of all hostages and a ceasefire in Gaza are within reach!” This was the latest in a series of optimistic reactions to the Palestinian Islamist movement’s response to US President Donald Trump’s peace plan.

AFP

Egyptian mediator describes Hamas’ response to Trump’s Gaza plan as a “positive development”

Egypt, the international mediator, welcomed Hamas’ response to US President Donald Trump’s plan for Gaza on Saturday. Describing it as a “positive development,” it urged both sides to seize the opportunity to end the war. In a statement on Facebook, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said, “Egypt expresses its hope that this positive development will push all parties to show a sense of responsibility and commitment to implementing President Trump’s plan on the ground and ending the war.”

Qatari mediator welcomes Hamas’s “acceptance” of Trump’s Gaza plan

Qatar welcomed Hamas’s statement on Saturday accepting US President Donald Trump’s Gaza plan. They confirmed that it is working with other mediators to resume talks on implementing a ceasefire. “The State of Qatar welcomes Hamas’ announcement of its acceptance of President Trump’s plan,” said Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed Al-Ansari. He also expressed support for Trump’s statements calling for an immediate ceasefire. Doha and Egypt, the mediator, have begun working, in coordination with the United States. They continue discussions on the plan to ensure a path to ending the war.”

AFP

Hamas is ready to hold immediate talks on ending the war in Gaza, a spokesman told AFP.

AFP

UN Secretary-General says Hamas statement on Gaza peace deal ‘encouraging’

UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Friday welcomed Hamas’s stated willingness to release hostages. This is under the Gaza peace agreement announced by US President Donald Trump. “The Secretary-General welcomes and is encouraged by the statement issued by Hamas announcing its willingness to release the hostages and engage in dialogue,” Guterres’ spokesman, Stéphane Dujarric, said in a statement. “He urges all parties to seize the opportunity to end the tragic conflict in Gaza.”

AFP

Trump says Hamas is ready for a “lasting peace”

US President Donald Trump expressed his belief on Friday that Hamas is ready for peace. He asked Israel to stop bombing Gaza after the group announced its willingness to release the hostages under his ceasefire plan. Trump posted on Truth Social: “Based on the statement from Hamas, I believe they are ready for a lasting peace. Israel must stop bombing Gaza immediately so we can release the hostages safely and quickly!”

AFP

Hamas announces its readiness to release Gaza prisoners under Trump’s ceasefire proposal.

AFP

A senior Hamas official describes Trump’s Gaza ceasefire plan as “vague and ambiguous.”

AFP

Hamas says it is ready to negotiate the “details” of a Gaza prisoner swap under the Trump plan.

AFP

Hamas says it is ready to negotiate the “details” of a Gaza prisoner swap under the Trump plan.

AFP