Delegates from Israel and Hamas will meet in Egypt on Monday in an attempt to accept a peace deal, which would see the release of hostages and end in fighting
Donald Trump has urged delegates who are seeking to end the war between Israel and Hamas to “move fast” ahead of planned ceasefire negotiations in Egypt on Monday.
The discussions follow Hamas’ agreement to enter talks on the 20-point peace plan devised by the US. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed optimism that all hostages will be released within days.
Writing on social media that talks had been “very successful”, Trump said: “I am told the first phase should be completed this week, and I am asking everyone to MOVE FAST.”
“TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE OR, MASSIVE BLOODSHED WILL FOLLOW – SOMETHING THAT NOBODY WANTS TO SEE,” the US President added.
Hamas said on Sunday that its delegation had arrived in Sharm el-Sheikh and would work towards a ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces and a prisoner exchange.
It did not mention conceding governance in the enclave, one of the key pillars of the US deal.
The Israeli delegation will leave on Monday for the talks, Netanyahu’s office said. US envoy Steve Witkoff is also expected to join the talks.
With the semblance of peace on the horizon, Trump repeatedly ordered Israel to stop bombing Gaza while talks were facilitated.
But residents and local hospitals said strikes continued across the territory, with at least 12 people killed in the strip on Sunday.
The Israeli government spokeswoman, Badrosian, said “certain bombings have actually stopped inside of the Gaza Strip.”
But Israel’s military chief of staff, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, said that “if the political effort does not succeed, we will return to fight.”
Tuesday will mark two years since the Hamas attack on Israel, which saw around 1,200 people killed and over 250 taken hostage.
The majority of hostages have been released in previous pauses in fighting.
According to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, Hamas is still holding 22 hostages and the bodies of a further 26.
Israel’s retaliatory offensive has killed over 64,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
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