Netanyahu Hopes to Announce Gaza Hostage Release Soon as US-Led Peace Talks Set to Begin in Egypt

Jerusalem, Oct 2025 : Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he hopes to announce the release of all hostages held in Gaza “in the coming days,” as Israel and Hamas prepare for indirect talks in Egypt on Monday under a new US-backed plan aimed at ending the war.

In a brief statement late Saturday, Netanyahu confirmed that he had dispatched a delegation to Cairo to “finalize technical details,” adding that “our goal is to limit these talks to a timeframe of a few days.”

However, the Israeli leader made it clear that a full military withdrawal from Gaza is not on the table, despite Hamas’ longstanding demand for complete disengagement. He said Israeli forces would maintain control of key strategic areas and that Hamas would be disarmed in the second phase of the plan—either through diplomatic means “or through our military route.”

Trump Urges Swift Action as Bombing Paused

The announcement came shortly after Hamas said it had accepted parts of the US proposal, prompting US President Donald Trump to welcome the move but also issue a stark warning.

“Hamas must act quickly, or all bets are off,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, while also confirming that he had ordered Israel to halt its bombing campaign in Gaza to give diplomacy a chance.

Residents in Gaza City reported a noticeable lull in Israeli airstrikes on Saturday, though hospital officials said that at least 22 people were killed, including women and children. The Israeli military said it had been instructed to adopt a “defensive posture” and prepare for the first phase of the US plan.

An Israeli official, speaking anonymously, said the military would pause offensive operations but retain readiness in case Hamas failed to uphold its commitments.

Still, reports from the ground suggested continued violence. Fadhel Naeem, director of Al-Ahli Hospital, said 17 people were killed and 25 injured in a strike in the Tufah area of Gaza City. “The attacks are still ongoing,” he said. The Israeli military later stated that the target was a Hamas operative, adding that it “regrets any harm caused to civilians.”

Earlier in the day, Shifa Hospital Director Mohammed Abu Selmiya reported that five Palestinians had been killed in separate attacks.

Peace Push Ahead of War Anniversary

President Trump appears determined to fulfill his pledge to end the war and secure the release of all hostages before Tuesday, marking two years since Hamas launched its October 7, 2023 offensive.

His new 20-point proposal—outlined earlier this week—has drawn broad international backing. On Friday, Netanyahu’s office reaffirmed that Israel “remains committed to ending the war,” though it insists on safeguards to prevent Hamas from regrouping.

Cairo Talks to Focus on Hostage Swap and Withdrawal Map

Egypt, a key mediator in the conflict, said Monday’s indirect negotiations will aim to finalize terms for the hostage release and prisoner exchange, as well as define the initial Israeli withdrawal lines.

A senior Egyptian official confirmed that US envoy Steve Witkoff will lead the American delegation. Speaking on condition of anonymity, the official said discussions would also involve reviewing maps of Israeli positions in Gaza and ensuring security guarantees for all sides.

The official added that Arab mediators are preparing for a broader Palestinian dialogue intended to forge a unified stance on Gaza’s postwar governance.

In a sign of growing consensus, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, the second-largest militant group in Gaza, announced that it had accepted Hamas’s position after initially rejecting the plan, raising hopes for coordinated Palestinian participation.

Plan Details: Ceasefire, Disarmament, and Reconstruction

Under the US-backed framework, Hamas would release all remaining 48 hostages within three days, about 20 of whom are believed to be alive. In exchange, Israel would cease its offensive, withdraw from most of Gaza, and release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, including those detained after the 2023 attacks.

The plan also includes the gradual disarmament of Hamas, the transfer of administrative power to a transitional Palestinian authority, and international oversight of Gaza’s reconstruction and governance. Humanitarian aid would resume immediately after the ceasefire takes effect, followed by infrastructure rebuilding supervised by global agencies.

Hamas, in its statement, said it was prepared to release hostages and cede control to other Palestinian factions but called for further consultations on key issues. Notably, it did not address the demilitarisation requirement, which remains a major sticking point.

Mixed Reactions in Israel

Military analysts and political figures in Israel offered cautious assessments. Amir Avivi, a retired general and chairman of the Israel Defense and Security Forum, said Israel might agree to a temporary halt in fighting to allow hostage releases but would resume military operations if Hamas failed to surrender its weapons.

Others, like Oded Eilam, a researcher at the Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs, said Hamas’s statements “simply repeat old demands in softer language,” casting doubt on the group’s sincerity.

Despite skepticism, the Israeli political response has remained largely stable. Two hardline members of Netanyahu’s coalition—Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir—criticized the progress of the plan but stopped short of threatening to leave the government.

Meanwhile, in Tel Aviv, thousands gathered for the weekly rally calling for a deal to bring home the hostages. For the first time in months, the tone was cautiously optimistic. A spokesperson for the families of hostages said the prospect of seeing their loved ones again “has never been closer,” urging Trump to proceed “with all his might” while warning that “extremists on both sides” could still sabotage the process.

Global Pressure for Peace

Across Europe, protests demanding an end to the war and support for the peace initiative took place in London, Paris, and Berlin, as international leaders called on both sides to seize what many described as a rare opportunity for peace.

With negotiations set to begin in Cairo and the ceasefire holding tenuously, the coming days are expected to be pivotal—potentially marking a turning point in one of the region’s most protracted and devastating conflicts.