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2h ago

U.S. Envoys in Cairo to Finalize Hostage Release and First Steps of Gaza Ceasefire Plan

Hamas signaled readiness to free captives, conditioning any release on security “field conditions.”

Trump warned Hamas of causing any delays and said he would not tolerate delay as he urged the group to move quickly towards a deal or else all bets will be off.
A Palestinian man transports buckets of water next to a coastal path northwest of Nuseirat refugee camp after being displaced southward following an Israeli announcement of closing Al-Rashid road towards the north of the besieged Gaza Strip on Saturday. (Eyad Baba/AFP/Getty Images/TNS)
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A plume of smoke rises in the background as Palestinians return from a food distribution point run by the US and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) group, near the Netsarim corridor in the central Gaza Strip on October 5, 2025. (EYAD BABA/ AFP)

Overview

  • White House envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff arrived in Egypt to work through technical mechanics for a hostage-for-prisoner exchange and initial ceasefire steps under President Trump’s plan.
  • Egypt is hosting the talks, with Hamas representatives already in Cairo and Israel’s delegation set to arrive Monday for sessions expected in Sharm El Sheikh.
  • Hamas welcomed key elements of the U.S. 20-point proposal but has not committed to disarm or relinquish postwar governance, and a 72-hour full release timeline was described by a senior Hamas official as unrealistic.
  • Israel said it is preparing to implement phase one focused on freeing all hostages and has ordered the IDF to scale operations to defensive measures, though strikes continued Saturday with dozens reported killed.
  • The U.S. framework outlines an immediate ceasefire, staged Israeli withdrawal, disarmament of Hamas, and transitional governance overseen by an international body, with Israeli media reporting 48 hostages remain and about 20 are believed alive and could be released within days.