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Two envoys representing US President Donald Trump travelled to Egypt on Saturday to negotiate the release of hostages in Gaza, following Hamas’s acceptance of Trump’s ceasefire proposal. Meanwhile, Israeli forces continued launching deadly strikes across the territory.
Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner and envoy Steve Witkoff aimed to finalise details of the hostage release and advance a peace plan designed by Trump to end the nearly two-year conflict between Israel and Hamas, a White House official confirmed.
The mission followed Trump’s call for Israel to halt its bombardment after Hamas announced its willingness to release all hostages and begin ceasefire negotiations. “The movement approves the release of all hostages — both living and deceased — according to the exchange terms outlined in President Trump’s proposal,” Hamas stated on Friday.
Trump responded on Truth Social: “Based on Hamas’s statement, I believe they are ready for lasting PEACE. Israel must immediately stop bombing Gaza so we can secure the hostages’ safe and swift release!” He later warned Hamas that he would “not tolerate delay” in reaching a peace agreement.
Despite these developments, Israel confirmed its forces were still active in Gaza and warned residents not to return. At least 39 people were killed in Israeli strikes since dawn on Saturday, according to Mohammed Abu Salmiya, head of Al-Shifa Hospital.
Israeli air and ground assaults intensified in Gaza City, killing 34 people there alone. “The bombardment remains intense — air strikes, artillery fire, and drone attacks continue,” said Mohammed al-Mughayyir of Gaza’s civil defence agency.
Hamas officials revealed that Egypt, a key mediator, would soon host talks among Palestinian factions to discuss Gaza’s post-war governance. Trump’s peace plan proposes a ceasefire, the release of hostages within 72 hours, a phased Israeli withdrawal, and Hamas’s disarmament. It also excludes Hamas and other militant groups from governing Gaza, proposing instead a technocratic administration overseen by a transitional authority headed by Trump himself.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum in Israel welcomed Trump’s push, saying his demand to end the war was crucial to preventing “serious and irreversible harm” to the captives.
The Israeli military warned civilians to avoid returning to Gaza City, citing ongoing operations. “Our troops are still active in Gaza City — returning north or approaching operational areas remains extremely dangerous,” said Colonel Avichay Adraee, the military’s Arabic-language spokesperson.
Reports suggested Israel had shifted to a defensive stance after Trump’s intervention, though officials did not confirm this. Hospitals said 17 members of the Abdul Aal family were killed when Israeli warplanes targeted their home in Gaza City’s Al-Tuffa district.
Some Gazans welcomed Trump’s involvement. “I was happy when Trump announced a ceasefire, but the bombing has not stopped,” said Jamila al-Sayyid, a resident of Al-Zeitoun. Celebratory cries of “Allahu akbar!” echoed across camps in Al-Mawasi as news of Hamas’s acceptance spread.
“Trump’s involvement is the best news — Netanyahu cannot ignore him. He’s the only one capable of forcing Israel to end the war,” said Sami Adas, who lives in a tent with his family.
The war began on October 7, 2023 when Hamas launched an attack that killed 1,219 people in Israel, mostly civilians. Israel’s retaliatory campaign has since killed at least 67,074 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s health ministry, with more than half of the victims identified as women and children.
