🔗 Share this article

Diplomatic teams have touched down in Cairo ahead of important negotiations scheduled for Monday, expected to address the release of captives held by Hamas in Gaza and a wider resolution to the ongoing hostilities, while Israel's military strikes continued across the Gazan territory, resulting in 63 casualties within the past 24 hours.

Primary Focus of Monday's Talks

The Cairo-based foreign ministry announced that Monday's discussions would concentrate on the first step of the former president's suggested ceasefire plan, which centers on the exchange of the last 48 hostages held by the Gaza-based organization in return for Arab detainees currently held in Israel's detention facilities.

Global Representation

US envoy Steve Witkoff is scheduled to attend the talks, as reported by Israeli media outlets, together with Israeli delegation and a Gazan delegation headed by Khalil al-Hayya, the vice head of the organization's political bureau.

"Discussions in Egypt will be confined to a brief timeframe maximum," declared an official spokesperson to media.

Truce Outlook

The hostage release and detainee exchange would result in an instant end to combat in Gaza, according to the former president. Since the group's qualified approval of his proposal to terminate the almost two-year campaign in Gaza on Friday, the United States, Israeli government and the militant organization have all expressed confidence that a peace agreement is imminent.

The US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, described the Cairo talks as "the most promising we've reached getting all the hostages liberated" during a weekend interview with ABC. He warned that discussions could still fail over logistical challenges, and that specific procedures for the hostage release needed to be finalized.

Future Obstacles

Rubio highlighted significant ongoing challenges in executing the deal, especially the establishment of a professional administration to oversee Gaza in place of the current rulers. He underscored that the immediate priority remained the hostages' release and ensuring defense troops withdrew to an mutually accepted boundary in Gaza.

The former president's Framework Components

The proposed plan would entail the organization releasing all captives within 72 hours, relinquishing ruling control to a international administration headed by the American leader, and laying down its weapons. In return, the Israeli government would progressively pull out its troops from Gaza and free more than 1,000 Arab prisoners. The deal would furthermore authorize a increase of humanitarian aid to Gaza, in which various parts are facing food shortages, along with restoration financing.

Pullback Parameters

On Saturday night, Trump shared a map of Gaza that specified the initial withdrawal boundary for Israeli troops, varying between 1.2 miles (2km) to 4 miles within the territory. He stated that if the group approved the retreat boundary, a hostilities cessation would commence promptly.

According to the provisions of the plan, defense forces are meant to completely retreat to a demilitarized zone at the perimeter of Gaza, however the prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has declared that irrespective of any agreement, forces would stay in the bulk of Gaza.

International Responses

Optimism about a possible peace agreement has grown internationally, with western and Middle Eastern leaders urging the organization and the Israeli government to reach a agreement. On Sunday, the European statesman, Friedrich Merz, called Netanyahu and voiced endorsement for the former president's proposal, characterizing it as "the most promising possibility for stability," according to an government summary.

Government representatives have additionally indicated they expect to announce an end to the hostilities in the coming days.

A senior organization leader told international media the group was "highly motivated to reach an agreement to terminate the conflict and promptly commence the prisoner exchange process in alignment with the field conditions."

Threats and Ongoing Strikes

Trump cautioned Hamas with "complete destruction" if it refused to conclude a settlement on Gaza during a television interview. He also claimed that Netanyahu was supportive for ending the bombing of Gaza.

Despite Trump's request that Israel halt its assault and despite directives for the defense forces to only carry out "defensive operations," it has continued attacking the Gazan territory. A minimum of eight people were killed in different strikes on Gaza City, while four other people were shot dead while attempting to obtain relief supplies in the southern part of the enclave.

"Although some airstrikes have in fact ceased inside of the Gaza Strip, there's no truce in place at this juncture," stated the government representative.

Civilian Toll

A minimum of 67,139 people have been died and roughly 170,000 harmed by Israel's military campaign in Gaza, according to the Palestinian health authorities, which reported that roughly half of those were vulnerable populations. The Israeli government launched the operation in response after an attack by militant fighters that resulted in the deaths of roughly 1,200 people and included 251 people being abducted.

International Conclusions

The UN commission of inquiry, multiple advocacy groups and the preeminent body of academic experts have concluded that the Israeli government has perpetrated genocide in Gaza. Israeli authorities rejects the charge and states it has only operated in self-protection.