JERUSALEM (BN24) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Saturday he hopes to announce the release of all hostages held in Gaza “in the coming days,” ahead of indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas in Egypt on a new U.S.-brokered plan to end the war.
Netanyahu said he dispatched a delegation to Cairo to “finalize technical details,” setting a short timeline for the discussions. “Our goal is to contain these negotiations to a time frame of a few days,” he said in a brief statement.
But Netanyahu also made clear that Israel will not fully withdraw from Gaza, a key demand of Hamas. He said Israeli forces will retain control of areas they currently occupy and that Hamas will be disarmed in the second phase of the plan, either through diplomatic means or military force.
The prime minister’s remarks came shortly after Hamas said it had accepted parts of the U.S. proposal. President Donald Trump welcomed the group’s statement but warned Hamas to act quickly, saying “all bets will be off” if it delays. He also ordered Israel to halt its bombardment of Gaza to facilitate the deal. Residents reported a noticeable easing of Israeli strikes on Saturday, though Gaza hospital officials said at least 22 people were killed, including women and children.
Israeli Strikes Persist as Forces Shift to Defensive Stance
Israel’s military said it has been instructed to prepare for the first phase of the U.S. plan and has shifted to a defensive posture in Gaza. Officials said Israeli forces will refrain from new offensive strikes while talks unfold.
Still, violence continued in Gaza City’s Tuffah neighborhood, where an Israeli strike killed at least 17 people and wounded 25 more, according to Al-Ahli hospital director Fadel Naim. Israel’s military said the target was a Hamas operative and expressed regret over civilian casualties. Shifa Hospital director Mohamed Abu Selmiyah reported five additional deaths across Gaza earlier in the day.
The escalation comes just days before the second anniversary of Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack that triggered the war. Trump has vowed to end the conflict and secure the release of all hostages before Tuesday’s anniversary, touting his plan as a decisive step toward lasting peace. The proposal has received widespread support from key mediators, including Egypt and Qatar.
Egypt to Host Indirect Negotiations
Egyptian mediators said Monday’s talks aim to pave the way for a mutual exchange: the release of hostages held in Gaza in return for Palestinians detained in Israeli prisons. U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to lead the American team. Negotiators will also examine maps outlining phased Israeli military withdrawals from specific areas of Gaza, according to an Egyptian official who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Arab mediators are simultaneously preparing for intra-Palestinian dialogue to unify political factions regarding Gaza’s future. The Palestinian Islamic Jihad group, which had previously rejected the U.S. plan, now says it supports Hamas’ response.
Plan’s Terms and Uncertainty Ahead
Under Trump’s plan, Hamas would release 48 remaining hostages — about 20 of whom are believed to be alive — within three days, relinquish power, and disarm. In return, Israel would halt its offensive, withdraw from much of the territory, release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, and allow large-scale humanitarian aid and reconstruction.
Hamas has signaled willingness to release hostages and transfer power to other Palestinian groups but said other provisions require further consultations. Its statement did not address disarmament, a critical Israeli demand.
Some Israeli officials expressed cautious optimism. Amir Avivi, a retired general and chairman of the Israel Defense and Security Forum, said Israel can pause operations temporarily for a hostage deal but warned the offensive will resume if Hamas refuses to surrender weapons. Others argue Hamas’ language merely reframes its longstanding positions without real concessions.
Mixed Reactions and Public Hopes
Two right-wing members of Netanyahu’s coalition, Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir, criticized aspects of the plan but did not threaten to leave the government. In Tel Aviv, speakers at the weekly rally over the war expressed a rare note of cautious optimism.
A group representing families of Israeli hostages said hopes of reunification “have never been closer,” urging Trump to “keep pushing with full force” while warning against extremists “on both sides” seeking to derail the plan. Across Europe, demonstrations calling for an end to the war have intensified.
Palestinian Concerns and Ongoing Violence
In Gaza, many residents expressed skepticism that negotiations would succeed. “We want practical implementation. We want a truce on the ground,” said Sameer Qudeeh of Khan Younis. “I hope Hamas ends the war, because we are truly tired,” said Mohammad Shaat as residents navigated shattered streets.
Israel’s military warned Palestinians not to return to Gaza City, labeling it a “dangerous combat zone.” Residents reported no major ground advances Saturday but said artillery fire and drone activity persisted.
In southern Gaza, the Palestine Red Crescent Society said its Saraya field hospital received 10 bodies and more than 70 injured following Israeli strikes. Gaza’s Health Ministry raised the Palestinian death toll to over 67,000, adding more than 700 verified names. Women and children comprise about half of the dead, according to the ministry, whose figures are widely considered the most reliable by U.N. and independent experts.
