Netanyahu Hopes to Free Gaza Hostages as Cairo Talks Begin

Netanyahu Hopes to Free Gaza Hostages as Cairo Talks Begin

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he hopes to bring home the remaining Gaza hostages “within days”, as negotiators from both sides head to Cairo to finalise a possible breakthrough deal.

The talks, backed by US President Donald Trump, aim to end nearly two years of war in Gaza. Trump warned Hamas on Saturday that he would “not tolerate delay” after the militant group responded positively to his roadmap for peace — which includes a full hostage-prisoner exchange and a plan for administering post-war Gaza.

Despite Trump’s call for Israel to halt airstrikes, bombardments continued, with at least 57 people killed since dawn, according to Gaza’s civil defence agency.

Netanyahu said in a televised statement that “military and diplomatic pressure” had forced Hamas to agree to the release. “I hope that in the coming days we will be able to bring back all our hostages... during the Sukkot holidays,” he said, referring to the Jewish festival starting Monday.

Israel confirmed its delegation is travelling to Egypt to “finalise the technical details,” while Cairo said it would also host a Hamas delegation to discuss “ground conditions and the exchange process” as outlined in Trump’s proposal.

The White House said Trump has dispatched two top envoys — his son-in-law Jared Kushner and Middle East negotiator Steve Witkoff — to help secure the deal.

Hamas on Friday night declared its approval to release all hostages, including remains, in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. Trump hailed the statement as a sign the group was “ready for a lasting peace,” but warned: “Move quickly — or all bets are off.”

Key Takeaways

• Netanyahu says hostages could be freed “within days” as Cairo talks begin.

• Trump warns Hamas not to delay, dispatches Kushner and Witkoff to Egypt.

• Bombing in Gaza continues despite US calls for a ceasefire.

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