President Trump urged negotiators set to satisfy Monday for essential talks geared toward ending the battle in Gaza to “transfer quick” as hopes for a peace deal grew after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu mentioned a hostage launch may very well be introduced this week.
Tuesday marks two years because the Hamas terrorist assault on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, that sparked the battle.
“There have been very constructive discussions with Hamas, and International locations from everywhere in the World (Arab, Muslim, and everybody else) this weekend, to launch the Hostages, finish the Conflict in Gaza however, extra importantly, lastly have lengthy sought PEACE within the Center East,” Mr. Trump wrote on Reality Social on Sunday. “These talks have been very profitable, and continuing quickly.”
He added: “The technical groups will once more meet Monday, in Egypt, to work via and make clear the ultimate particulars. I’m informed that the primary section needs to be accomplished this week, and I’m asking everybody to MOVE FAST. I’ll proceed to observe this Centuries previous ‘battle.’ TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE OR, MASSIVE BLOODSHED WILL FOLLOW – SOMETHING THAT NOBODY WANTS TO SEE!”
Khames Alrefi/Anadolu by way of Getty Photos
On Friday, Hamas mentioned it had accepted some parts from the U.S.-led peace plan that Mr. Trump outlined final month. Underneath the plan, Hamas would launch the remaining 48 hostages — about 20 believed to be alive — inside 72 hours. It could additionally hand over energy and disarm, which Hamas has not agreed to do.
The delegation led by high Israeli negotiator Ron Dermer will go away Monday for the talks in Sharm el-Sheikh, Netanyahu’s workplace mentioned. An Egyptian official mentioned the Hamas delegation had arrived. U.S. particular envoy to the Center East, Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner, the president’s son-in-law and senior adviser, are becoming a member of the talks, a senior U.S. official confirmed to CBS Information.
Discussions will give attention to the proposed alternate of hostages for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, Egypt’s overseas ministry mentioned.
In a short assertion on Saturday, Netanyahu mentioned he hopes to announce the discharge of all hostages “within the coming days” and that “our objective is to include these negotiations to a timeframe of some days.”
However he signaled there wouldn’t be a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, one thing Hamas has lengthy demanded.
Saeed M. M. T. Jaras/Anadolu by way of Getty Photos 
Secretary of State Marco Rubio informed CBS Information’ “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan” on Sunday that the discharge of hostages from Gaza is the “most emergent and fast section” of the peace plan.
“Past that’s what occurs after that, and that’s, how can we be certain that we will create and assist construct a Gaza freed from terrorism, freed from Hamas, freed from something like Hamas,” Rubio mentioned. “And that is going to take work and a while not simply to agree on, however to implement.”
On the hostages, Rubio mentioned the “expectation is that this occurs rapidly,” although he wasn’t clear on a selected deadline. He acknowledged that there are some logistical hurdles, together with Israeli bombardment.
“Actuality is, this can be a battle zone. I imply, this can be a place that is suffered an amazing quantity of destruction. That combating must cease,” Rubio mentioned. “You possibly can’t launch hostages whereas there’s nonetheless bombardments occurring.”
CBS Information group members in East Jerusalem reported that there have been Israeli bombardments underway, together with strikes on Saturday.
As tons of of 1000’s of individuals marched throughout Israel, a number of European cities and elsewhere in assist of ending the battle, the overseas ministers of eight Muslim-majority international locations issued a joint assertion welcoming steps towards a potential ceasefire.
Additionally they underlined their dedication to the return of the Palestinian Authority to Gaza, unifying Gaza and the West Financial institution and reaching an settlement resulting in a “full Israeli withdrawal” from Gaza.
Israel and Hamas have been at battle since Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas-led terrorists attacked southern Israel, killing some 1,200 individuals and taking 251 hostages. Since then, Israel has waged an intense aerial bombardment and floor marketing campaign within the Gaza Strip. Greater than 66,000 Palestinians have been killed, based on the Hamas-run Gaza Well being Ministry, which doesn’t specify how most of the useless have been civilians or militants.
contributed to this report.
