Two senior envoys of U.S. President Donald Trump — his son-in-law Jared Kushner and special envoy Steve Witkoff — departed for Egypt on Saturday to finalize details of a potential hostage release agreement in Gaza. Their mission follows Hamas’s announcement that it had accepted Trump’s ceasefire proposal, raising hopes for an end to the nearly two-year-long Israel-Hamas war.
According to a White House official, the U.S. delegation will discuss logistics surrounding the release of hostages and the broader framework of Trump’s peace initiative aimed at halting hostilities between Israel and Hamas.
The move came shortly after Trump urged Israel to suspend its bombardment of Gaza, following Hamas’s public statement expressing readiness for peace.
> “The movement announces its approval for the release of all hostages — living and remains — according to the exchange formula included in President Trump’s proposal,” Hamas declared on Friday.
In response, Trump posted on Truth Social, saying:
> “Based on the statement just issued by Hamas, I believe they are ready for a lasting PEACE. Israel must immediately stop the bombing of Gaza so that we can get the hostages out safely and quickly!”
On Saturday, Trump warned Hamas not to delay implementation of the deal, stating he would “not tolerate delay” in the peace process.
Continued Strikes Despite Ceasefire Talks
Despite Trump’s call for calm, Israeli forces continued their operations in Gaza City, where at least 39 people were killed in airstrikes since dawn, according to Dr. Mohammed Abu Salmiya, head of Gaza’s Al-Shifa Hospital. He said 34 of the casualties occurred in Gaza City itself.
“The bombardment on Gaza continues with the same intensity and pattern — air strikes, artillery shelling, and drone fire,” said Mohammed al-Mughayyir of Gaza’s civil defence agency.
Israel’s military confirmed ongoing operations and warned civilians not to return to affected areas.
> “The IDF troops are still operating in Gaza City, and returning to it is extremely dangerous,” said the military’s Arabic spokesperson, Colonel Avichay Adraee, on X (formerly Twitter).
Egypt to Host Truce Conference
A Hamas official confirmed that Egypt, one of the key mediators in previous truce efforts, would host a conference of Palestinian factions to determine Gaza’s post-war governance.
Trump’s peace proposal reportedly includes:
An immediate halt to hostilities.
Release of all hostages within 72 hours.
Gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
Disarmament of Hamas.
Establishment of a technocratic administration to govern Gaza under a post-war transitional authority led by Trump himself.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, an Israeli advocacy group, welcomed Trump’s intervention, saying:
> “President Trump’s demand to stop the war immediately is essential to prevent serious and irreversible harm to the hostages.”
Gazans React to Trump’s Ceasefire Push
In Gaza, many residents expressed cautious optimism after Trump’s announcement.
“I was happy when Trump announced a ceasefire, but the warplanes did not stop,” said Jamila al-Sayyid, 24, from Gaza City’s Al-Zeitoun neighborhood.
An AFP correspondent in Al-Mawasi reported jubilant chants of “Allahu akbar!” as news of the ceasefire proposal spread among displaced families in tents.
> “The best thing is that President Trump himself announced a ceasefire. Netanyahu won’t escape this time. He is the only one who can force Israel to stop the war,” said Sami Adas, 50, a displaced resident from Gaza City.
Background of the Conflict
The war erupted after Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, which killed 1,219 people, mostly civilians, according to Israeli figures. In retaliation, Israel launched a massive offensive that has so far killed at least 67,074 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s health ministry — a toll the United Nations considers credible. Over half of the casualties are reported to be women and children.
As diplomatic efforts intensify, hopes remain that the Trump-led ceasefire plan could mark a turning point in one of the most devastating conflicts in modern Middle Eastern history.
