Israel Eyes Swift Hostage Deal As Egypt Prepares To Host Ceasefire Talks On US Proposal
Egypt to mediate high stakes negotiations on US ceasefire proposal as Netanyahu expresses optimism for a breakthrough, far right ministers voice dissent
CAIRO/JERUSALEM, Oct 5: Egypt will host delegations from Israel and Hamas on Monday to discuss crucial details of a proposed ceasefire and prisoner exchange under the latest US-backed truce framework, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry announced.
The talks aim to address “field conditions and details” for the exchange of all Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, with Cairo hoping the discussions will pave the way to “end the war and the suffering of the brotherly Palestinian people,” now entering its second year.
The meeting marks a renewed push by Egypt, working alongside the US and Qatar, to secure a comprehensive deal to halt hostilities in the Gaza Strip and begin a path toward reconstruction and governance stability.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday expressed cautious optimism that all hostages held in Gaza could be freed within days.
“We are on the verge of a significant achievement,” Netanyahu said in a televised statement. “It’s not final yet, but I hope that during the upcoming Sukkot holiday, we will secure the release of all the hostages, both living and deceased, while maintaining our military presence deep inside Gaza.”
However, Netanyahu emphasised that negotiations would be limited to a few days, underscoring that in the proposal’s second phase, “Hamas will be disarmed and Gaza demilitarised, whether through military or diplomatic means.”
The US proposal—reportedly accepted “in principle” by Hamas envisions a ceasefire for hostages deal, phased Israeli withdrawal, and international oversight of Gaza’s reconstruction and governance.
Despite growing international support for the plan, divisions have surfaced within Israel’s ruling coalition. Far right ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir criticised Netanyahu’s decision, calling it a “serious mistake” that could allow Hamas to regroup. Ben Gvir warned that his faction would exit the coalition if Hamas remains intact after the hostages’ release.
According to Israeli media, Netanyahu held an urgent meeting with both ministers to seek their backing for the deal.
In parallel diplomatic efforts, US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff travelled to Egypt on Saturday to discuss implementation details, the White House confirmed.
While hopes for a breakthrough rise, violence continues on the ground. The Israeli Air Force launched fresh airstrikes on Gaza City early Saturday, killing 66 people and injuring 265 others within 24 hours, according to Gaza health authorities.
Since October 7, 2023, Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has killed 67,074 Palestinians and wounded 169,430, while 459 people—mostly children—have died from famine and malnutrition, health officials said.
As both sides prepare for the Cairo talks, the international community is urging Israel and Hamas to seize the opportunity to end the war, free hostages, and begin a sustainable peace process in Gaza.
