Negotiations between Israel and Hamas , under American supervision, will begin this Monday in Egypt over the first phase of President Donald Trump’s Gaza plan. The main points of the plan include the release of all hostages in exchange for a ceasefire, the release of convicted terrorists, and an initial withdrawal of Israel Defense Forces troops.
According to a political source, this will be a “technical discussion” focused on the practical aspects of the release process, including the method of freeing the living hostages, the time needed to locate the bodies of fallen captives, and the precise number of terrorists to be released.
Alongside the Israeli delegation to Egypt, headed by Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, the talks will include Hamas representatives and mediators, among them US envoy Steve Witkoff and presidential adviser Jared Kushner.
Steve Witkoff. Photo: Reuters Reuters
The negotiations come after Hamas announced on Friday night that it “accepted in principle” the president’s plan, though it expressed “reservations about many of its clauses.” In practice, Hamas has not agreed to any specific provision of the plan and has not addressed one of its central elements. the terrorist organization’s disarmament and the demilitarization of the Gaza Strip.
Shortly after Hamas’ announcement, President Trump posted a message on social media saying, “Hamas’ statement shows, in my opinion, that they are ready for lasting peace. Israel must immediately stop the bombings in Gaza so that we can safely and quickly rescue the hostages! Right now, the situation is too dangerous to do so. We are already discussing the necessary details. This isn’t just about Gaza, but about the long-awaited peace in the Middle East.”
US President Donald Trump addresses the UN General Assembly in New York, Tuesday. Photo: Reuters Reuters
Trump’s stance followed messages he received from the mediators — Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey — which, as reported by Israel Hayom, told him that Hamas would ultimately accept all parts of his plan and that they would ensure that negotiations would not drag on. The mediators clarified that Hamas had accepted the entire plan, even if it voiced objections to some clauses, and that in the framework of an international conference, it would seek assurances regarding the ceasefire and the IDF withdrawal.
Hamas’ statement and the effective suspension of IDF operations were, according to Trump, intended to “give Hamas a chance,” at the request of the mediating countries, which guaranteed that the terrorist organization would abide by the plan’s terms. However, disagreements have already emerged over who will control the areas from which the IDF withdraws. Israel insists that Hamas must not return to these locations, in line with the president’s plan. In the absence of another organized force, local clan-based militias might receive temporary permission to enter the vacated areas. In any case, Israel is expected to demand a prohibition on the entry of armed Hamas operatives into these zones.
Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip. Photo: AFP AFP
In addition, Hamas will be required to provide information on three unaccounted for hostages among the 20 believed to be alive. This initial stage, accompanied by a temporary ceasefire, is seen as a grace period granted by Trump to allow implementation of the first phase, the release of all hostages, especially those still alive.
An Arab diplomatic source said the talks will show whether Hamas’ response was “kalam fadi” — empty words — or whether the organization has truly understood that the war must end and that it will not obtain a better deal.
Other diplomatic officials expressed doubt over the mediators’ ability to “deliver the goods,” noting that Hamas had introduced numerous complications in its response and was expected to harden its stance once the fighting paused. Nevertheless, reflecting Israel’s cautious optimism, all relevant agencies — the IDF, the Shin Bet security agency, the police, the Israel Prison Service, and the Health Ministry, have been instructed to prepare for the hostages’ return.
