TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he hopes to announce the release of all hostages from Gaza “in the coming days.” The remarks signal new momentum in the ongoing Netanyahu hostages Gaza negotiations, as Israel and Hamas prepare for indirect talks in Egypt on a U.S.-sponsored peace plan.
Netanyahu confirmed that a delegation will travel to Cairo on Monday to work out the “technical details” of the agreement. “Our goal is to conclude these negotiations within days,” he said, expressing cautious optimism after months of stalled diplomacy.
However, he emphasized that Israel will not agree to a full military withdrawal from Gaza — a core Hamas demand. Netanyahu insisted that Hamas must be disarmed, either diplomatically or through military action.
U.S. Pressure Pushes Netanyahu Hostages Gaza Talks Forward
Hamas said it has accepted parts of the new U.S. proposal, which aims to end the conflict and secure the Netanyahu hostages Gaza deal. President Donald Trump, who introduced the plan, praised Hamas’ response but warned that “Hamas must act quickly or all bets are off.”
Trump said the cease-fire will start once Hamas confirms an “initial withdrawal line” inside Gaza. A map shared on his social media post showed that Israel would retain limited control of certain areas during the first phase.
The three-stage plan includes a temporary cease-fire, the release of hostages, and a phased Israeli withdrawal. In the final stage, Gaza’s reconstruction would begin under international supervision.
Cease-Fire Lowers Strikes but Civilian Deaths Continue
Residents of Gaza reported fewer Israeli airstrikes on Saturday after Trump’s order to halt bombing. But local hospitals said at least 22 Palestinians were killed, including several women and children.
In Gaza City’s Tuffah neighborhood, an Israeli airstrike killed 17 people and injured 25, according to Dr. Fadel Naim, director of Al-Ahli Hospital. “The strikes are still ongoing,” he said. The Israeli army said the target was a Hamas operative and expressed regret for civilian deaths.
Earlier, Shifa Hospital director Mohamed Abu Selmiyah said Israeli attacks killed five more people in separate incidents. A senior Israeli official said the army has moved to a defensive-only posture, striking “only if fired upon.”
Egypt Hosts Talks to Finalize Gaza Hostages Deal
Egypt will host indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas on Monday. Mediators from the United States and Cairo will help finalize terms for a hostage-for-prisoner exchange and establish a long-term truce.
A senior Egyptian diplomat said U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff will lead Washington’s delegation. Talks will also focus on maps showing the phased Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. Arab states are reportedly preparing broader discussions on Gaza’s post-war governance.
The Palestinian Islamic Jihad, which earlier rejected the plan, now supports Hamas’ position, signaling progress toward a unified Palestinian stance.
War Nears Second Anniversary as Netanyahu Hostages Gaza Plan Advances
The renewed diplomacy comes days before the second anniversary of the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack, which ignited the war. Trump appears determined to deliver peace before that milestone.
Under the U.S. plan, Hamas would release 48 hostages — about 20 believed to be alive — within three days. In return, Israel would halt its offensive, release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, and allow humanitarian aid into Gaza for reconstruction.
Netanyahu’s office said Israel is committed to ending the war but will maintain “the right to prevent Hamas from rearming or regaining control.”
Hostage Families Urge Swift Action
Israeli families of the remaining captives welcomed Netanyahu’s comments but demanded urgency. “The chance to see our loved ones again has never been closer,” said a coalition representing Netanyahu hostages Gaza families.
At Tel Aviv’s weekly peace rally, thousands gathered to call for a cease-fire. “After nearly two years of fear, maybe this is the light we’ve been waiting for,” said one woman holding a photo of her missing husband.
Right-wing cabinet members Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir criticized the plan but stopped short of threatening to quit Netanyahu’s coalition. They argued that halting operations before Hamas’ total defeat could endanger Israel’s security.
Analysts Cautiously Welcome Progress
Retired general Amir Avivi said Israel can pause fighting briefly to secure the Netanyahu hostages Gaza agreement but warned that Hamas must disarm or face renewed attacks. “This is Hamas’ last chance,” he said.
Security analyst Oded Ailam noted that Hamas’ tone has softened, though its core positions remain unchanged. “It’s more about rhetoric than reality,” he said. Still, analysts view the talks as the most serious diplomatic push since the war began.
Gaza Residents Crave Relief
Inside Gaza, civilians expressed skepticism after months of failed negotiations. “We want practical steps, not speeches,” said Sameer Qudeeh in Khan Younis. “We’ve lost everything. We need peace, not promises.”
Another resident, Mohammad Shaat, said, “I hope Hamas ends the war. We are truly exhausted.”
Israel’s army warned Palestinians against returning to Gaza City, calling it a “dangerous combat zone.” Residents said they heard artillery shelling throughout Saturday despite fewer ground operations.
The Palestine Red Crescent Society said its Saraya field hospital received 10 bodies and 70 wounded from new airstrikes. Gaza’s Health Ministry raised the death toll to 67,000, saying women and children make up about half of the victims. The U.N. still considers these figures the most credible available.
Hope for a Breakthrough
As the Cairo talks approach, Netanyahu reiterated his goal of bringing every Israeli captive home. “We will not rest until all our people return safely,” he said.
The Netanyahu hostages Gaza deal may face setbacks, but for the first time in months, both Israel and Hamas appear closer to an agreement that could reshape the future of the region. Whether it brings lasting peace or a fragile pause remains to be seen.
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