Trump Confident as Critical Gaza Hostage Talks Begin Amid Ongoing Violence

President Donald Trump expressed strong optimism on Sunday regarding the imminent release of hostages held in Gaza, stating he believes negotiations are “going very well.” His remarks come as high-stakes indirect peace talks between Hamas and Israel are set to commence in Egypt on Monday, with mediators hoping to secure a breakthrough in the nearly two-year conflict.

The talks in Cairo will see a Hamas delegation, led by chief negotiator Khalil al-Hayya, meet with US special envoy Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, and Qatari foreign minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also ordered his delegation to attend, emphasizing a swift resolution to the discussions.

Hamas recently agreed to several components of a 20-point US peace plan, including the release of hostages and a transition of Gaza governance to Palestinian technocrats. However, the group is seeking further negotiations on contentious issues such as disarmament and its future role in Gaza. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio underscored the necessity of halting bombardments to facilitate a hostage release, stating, “You can’t release hostages while there’s still bombardments going on… that has to stop.”

Despite the diplomatic push, violence continues in the region. Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry reported another 65 fatalities from Israeli military operations in the 24 hours leading up to Sunday midday. Reports from inside Gaza describe ongoing Israeli air strikes and tank fire, even as Israeli government spokesperson Bedrosian noted that “certain bombings have actually stopped inside of the Gaza Strip,” while clarifying “there’s no ceasefire in place at this point in time.”

The proposed peace plan aims for an immediate end to fighting and the release of 48 hostages, with an exchange for hundreds of detained Gazans. This round of talks is considered one of the most consequential since the war began on October 7, 2023, and could determine whether a path toward a lasting ceasefire and peace is finally within reach. Many Palestinians view Hamas’s decision to enter talks without explicit preconditions as a sign of external pressure and a recognition of its limited leverage, though concerns about the risks of tactical flexibility remain amidst continued destruction and displacement.

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