Trump Envoys Head to Egypt as Hamas Agrees to Free Gaza Hostages
Kushner and Witkoff expected to finalize details on hostage release and discuss ceasefire proposal.
Two envoys of US President Donald Trump headed to Egypt on Saturday to discuss the release of hostages in Gaza, following Hamas's agreement to his ceasefire proposal.
Israeli forces launched deadly strikes across the territory as well.Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and envoy Steve Witkoff were expected to finalize details on the release of hostages and discuss a deal pushed by Trump to end the nearly two-year war between Israel and Hamas, according to a White House official.Egyptian state-linked media reported that Israel and Hamas would hold indirect talks in Cairo on Sunday and Monday over a detainees and hostages exchange.The talks come after Trump urged Israel to halt its bombardment of Gaza, following Hamas's announcement that it was ready to release all the hostages and begin negotiations on the ceasefire proposal".The movement announces its approval for the release of all hostages — living and remains — according to the exchange formula included in President Trump's proposal," Hamas said in a Friday statement.Trump later posted on Truth Social: "Based on the Statement just issued by Hamas, I believe they are ready for a lasting PEACE.
Israel must immediately stop the bombing of Gaza, so that we can get the Hostages out safely and quickly!" He warned Hamas that he would "not tolerate delay" on the peace deal.On Saturday, Israel conducted deadly strikes across Gaza, killing at least 39 people since dawn, according to Mohammed Abu Salmiya, head of Gaza's main Al-Shifa Hospital.
The dead included 34 people killed in Gaza City itself, where Israeli forces have carried out a sweeping air and ground assault in recent weeks.The Israeli military said it was operating in Gaza City and warned residents not to return there, citing ongoing dangerous activity.
Following Trump's call, the military reportedly shifted to a defensive posture in Gaza, though this could not be confirmed to AFP.Of those killed in Gaza City, 17 died in an Israeli air strike on the home of the Abdul Aal family in the city's Al-Tuffa neighborhood, hospitals said.
Celebratory cries of "Allahu akbar!" (God is greatest) were heard from tents housing Palestinians as news of Hamas's statement spread.The war was triggered by Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures.
Israel's retaliatory offense has killed at least 67,074 Palestinians, according to health ministry figures in the Hamas-run territory that the United Nations considers reliable.These data do not distinguish between civilians and combatants but indicate that more than half of the dead are women and children.
Israeli forces launched deadly strikes across the territory as well.Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and envoy Steve Witkoff were expected to finalize details on the release of hostages and discuss a deal pushed by Trump to end the nearly two-year war between Israel and Hamas, according to a White House official.Egyptian state-linked media reported that Israel and Hamas would hold indirect talks in Cairo on Sunday and Monday over a detainees and hostages exchange.The talks come after Trump urged Israel to halt its bombardment of Gaza, following Hamas's announcement that it was ready to release all the hostages and begin negotiations on the ceasefire proposal".The movement announces its approval for the release of all hostages — living and remains — according to the exchange formula included in President Trump's proposal," Hamas said in a Friday statement.Trump later posted on Truth Social: "Based on the Statement just issued by Hamas, I believe they are ready for a lasting PEACE.
Israel must immediately stop the bombing of Gaza, so that we can get the Hostages out safely and quickly!" He warned Hamas that he would "not tolerate delay" on the peace deal.On Saturday, Israel conducted deadly strikes across Gaza, killing at least 39 people since dawn, according to Mohammed Abu Salmiya, head of Gaza's main Al-Shifa Hospital.
The dead included 34 people killed in Gaza City itself, where Israeli forces have carried out a sweeping air and ground assault in recent weeks.The Israeli military said it was operating in Gaza City and warned residents not to return there, citing ongoing dangerous activity.
Following Trump's call, the military reportedly shifted to a defensive posture in Gaza, though this could not be confirmed to AFP.Of those killed in Gaza City, 17 died in an Israeli air strike on the home of the Abdul Aal family in the city's Al-Tuffa neighborhood, hospitals said.
Celebratory cries of "Allahu akbar!" (God is greatest) were heard from tents housing Palestinians as news of Hamas's statement spread.The war was triggered by Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures.
Israel's retaliatory offense has killed at least 67,074 Palestinians, according to health ministry figures in the Hamas-run territory that the United Nations considers reliable.These data do not distinguish between civilians and combatants but indicate that more than half of the dead are women and children.