Foreign ministers of a number of nations, together with Egypt, mentioned the talks have been a “real opportunity” to attain a complete and sustainable ceasefire in Gaza.
“Hamas is very keen to reach an agreement to end the war and immediately begin the prisoner exchange process in accordance with the field conditions,” a senior Hamas official instructed AFP on situation of anonymity.
The diplomatic push follows the Palestinian militant group’s optimistic response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s roadmap for the discharge of captives in alternate for Palestinians held in Israeli jails.
Negotiators are as a consequence of maintain talks within the Egyptian resort of Sharm El-Sheikh, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressing hope that hostages held in Gaza may very well be launched inside days.
Mr. Netanyahu mentioned Saturday (October 4) he had instructed negotiators to go to Egypt “to finalise the technical details”, whereas Cairo confirmed it will even be internet hosting a delegation from Hamas for talks on “the ground conditions and details of the exchange of all Israeli detainees and Palestinian prisoners”.
Egyptian state-linked media mentioned the 2 events would maintain oblique talks on Sunday and Monday, simply earlier than the second anniversary of the October 7 Hamas assault that sparked the struggle.
The White House mentioned Mr. Trump had despatched two envoys to Egypt — his son-in-law Jared Kushner and Middle East negotiator Steve Witkoff.
“During communications with mediators, Hamas insisted that it is essential for Israel to halt military operations across all areas of the Gaza Strip, cease all air, reconnaissance, and drone activity, and withdraw from inside Gaza City,” a Palestinian supply near Hamas mentioned.
“In parallel with the cessation of Israeli military activity, Hamas and the resistance factions will also halt their military operations and actions,” he added.
According to Mr. Trump’s plan, Israel is anticipated to launch 250 Palestinian prisoners with life sentences and greater than 1,700 detainees from the Gaza Strip who have been arrested after October 7, 2023, from the onset of the struggle.
But Mr. Trump warned he would “not tolerate delay” from Hamas, urging the group to maneuver rapidly in the direction of a deal “or else all bets will be off”.
Mr. Trump mentioned on Truth Social that Israel had agreed to an preliminary line of withdrawal in Gaza and that this had been shared with Hamas.
“When Hamas confirms, the Ceasefire will be IMMEDIATELY effective, the Hostages and Prisoner Exchange will begin, and we will create the conditions for the next phase of withdrawal,” he posted, alongside a map of the proposed line.
Mr. Netanyahu mentioned that “in the coming days we will be able to bring back all our hostages… during the Sukkot holidays,” referring to the week-long Jewish pageant that begins on Monday.
Strikes proceed
Despite Mr. Trump calling on Israel to halt its bombings, Israel has continued to hold out strikes on Gaza.
AFPTV footage confirmed thick smoke billowing into the skyline over the coastal territory on Sunday (October 5).
Gaza civil defence company, a rescue pressure working below Hamas authority, mentioned Israeli strikes killed no less than 5 folks in Gaza City within the morning, after a number of assaults via the evening.
On Saturday (October 4), almost 60 folks have been killed in Israeli strikes, together with 40 in Gaza City alone, the company reported.
“The decision to occupy Gaza, the collapse of multi-storey buildings, and the intensity of IDF operations in the city have led to the evacuation of roughly 900,000 residents to the south, creating immense pressure on Hamas and the countries that support it,” Defence Minister Israel Katz mentioned in a speech on Sunday (October 5).
The United Nations had estimated that round a million folks have been residing the world earlier than the beginning of the assault.
“There has been a noticeable decrease in the number of air strikes (since last night). The tanks and military vehicles have slightly pulled back, but I believe this is a tactical move, not a withdrawal,” mentioned Muin Abu Rajab, 40, a resident of Al-Rimal neighbourhood in Gaza City.
No function for Hamas
Hamas has insisted it ought to have a say within the territory’s future.
Mr. Trump’s roadmap stipulates that Hamas and different factions “not have any role in the governance of Gaza”, whereas additionally calling for a halt to hostilities, the discharge of hostages inside 72 hours, a gradual Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and Hamas’s disarmament.
Under the proposal, administration of the territory can be taken up by a technocratic physique overseen by a post-war transitional authority headed by Mr. Trump himself.
“Netanyahu will not be able to escape this time… (Trump) is the only one who can force Israel to comply and stop the war,” mentioned Sami Adas, 50, who lives in a tent in Gaza City together with his household.
Hamas’s October 7, 2023 assault resulted within the deaths of 1,219 folks, largely civilians, in accordance with an AFP tally of Israeli official figures.
Israel’s retaliatory offensive has killed no less than 67,139 Palestinians, in accordance with well being ministry figures within the Hamas-run territory that the United Nations considers dependable.
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