Indirect discussions between Israeli and Hamas representatives began Monday in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, as part of renewed efforts to reach a ceasefire agreement in Gaza and secure the release of hostages, according to Egyptian media reports.
The state-affiliated outlet Al-Qahera News, which maintains close ties with Egyptian intelligence, said the negotiations are focused on “preparing ground conditions” for both the release of hostages held in Gaza and the freeing of Palestinian prisoners in Israel, in line with President Donald Trump’s peace framework to end the ongoing conflict.
According to the report, “Egyptian and Qatari mediators are working with both sides to establish a mechanism” to implement the agreement, coordinating communication between the two parties in hopes of finalizing terms in the coming days.
Trump weighed in on the developments Sunday, issuing a warning to Hamas that “time is of the essence or massive bloodshed will follow.”
“There have been very positive discussions with Hamas, and Countries from all over the World (Arab, Muslim, and everyone else) this weekend, to release the Hostages, end the War in Gaza but, more importantly, finally have long sought PEACE in the Middle East. These talks have been very successful, and proceeding rapidly,” wrote Trump.
“The technical teams will again meet Monday, in Egypt, to work through and clarify the final details. I am told that the first phase should be completed this week, and I am asking everyone to MOVE FAST. I will continue to monitor this Centuries old ‘conflict.’ TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE OR, MASSIVE BLOODSHED WILL FOLLOW — SOMETHING THAT NOBODY WANTS TO SEE!” he added.
Over Shabbos, Trump cautioned that Hamas faced “complete obliteration” if it refused to give up power in Gaza, emphasizing that his administration’s patience was running thin as diplomatic activity around his ceasefire proposal accelerated.
Just a day earlier, Trump announced that Hamas had offered a favorable response to his plan, describing Friday as “a big day” and calling the progress “unprecedented” in a video shared on Truth Social.
{Matzav.com}
