Israel-Hamas Peace Negotiations: Potential Breakthrough for Gaza Ceasefire and Hostage Release

Smoke rises from Gaza after an explosion, as seen from the Israeli side of the border.

Israel and Hamas are set to engage in indirect negotiations in Egypt on Monday, with growing optimism for a potential Gaza ceasefire after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicated a hostage release announcement could come this week.

President Donald Trump has expressed approval of Hamas' acceptance of certain elements in the US peace proposal. Israel has confirmed its support for the new US initiative. The plan outlines that Hamas would release the remaining 48 hostages—approximately 20 believed to be alive—within three days, relinquish power, and disarm.

Egypt's foreign ministry stated that Monday's discussions will center on the proposed exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. US envoy Steve Witkoff will participate in the talks, according to an Egyptian official speaking anonymously due to lack of authorization to brief the media.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio remarked that the current situation represents "the closest we've come to getting all of the hostages released," though he cautioned that "there are a lot of opportunities here for whoever wants to sabotage it to do so."

Speaking on ABC's "This Week," Rubio outlined two phases following Hamas' acceptance of Trump's framework: hostage release and Israeli withdrawal in Gaza to the "yellow line," their position in August.

In an interview with CBS, Rubio suggested Hamas should release hostages as they become available and emphasized that bombardment must cease to facilitate their release.

The US proposal also addresses Gaza's future governance. In text messages to CNN's Jake Tapper, Trump warned of "complete obliteration" if Hamas remained in power in Gaza. Trump also conveyed that Netanyahu had agreed to ending the bombing and pursuing peace in Gaza, adding "soon on the rest."

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar expressed optimism on Sunday, stating, "I hope that we are closest to a hostage deal since the (ceasefire) deal in January."

Concerned relatives of hostages gathered near Netanyahu's Jerusalem residence, with some urging Trump to maintain pressure. Israel's recent military operations in Gaza City have heightened fears for the hostages' safety.

"We cannot allow such a historic agreement to be sacrificed again," stated Michel Ilouz, father of hostage Guy Ilouz.

As hundreds of thousands demonstrated across European cities and elsewhere on Sunday in support of Palestinians, foreign ministers from eight Muslim-majority nations issued a joint statement welcoming progress toward a possible ceasefire.

The ministers supported Hamas' willingness to transfer Gaza's administration to a transitional committee, calling for "immediate launch of negotiations to agree on mechanisms to implement the proposal."

They also emphasized their commitment to restoring Palestinian Authority control in Gaza, unifying Gaza and the West Bank, and reaching security agreements leading to a "full Israeli withdrawal" from Gaza.

Rubio told ABC that decisions about Gaza's governing structure or international management could occur simultaneously with the initial ceasefire step, noting, "That's the part that I think is going to be a little tougher to work through, but that's what's going to provide permanency to the end of the conflict."

While Trump has ordered Israel to halt bombing in Gaza, residents and local hospitals reported continuing strikes throughout the territory.

Israeli government spokeswoman Shosh Badrosian informed journalists, "While certain bombings have actually stopped inside the Gaza Strip, there's no ceasefire in place at this point in time." She added that Netanyahu maintains "regular contact" with Trump and has emphasized that the Egypt talks "will be confined to a few days maximum, with no tolerance for manoeuvres that will delay talks by Hamas."

Shifa Hospital reported at least eight fatalities from multiple strikes in Gaza City on Sunday.

Separately, four people were shot dead near an aid distribution site in southern Rafah, according to Nasser Hospital. The Israeli military denied involvement in the shooting and did not immediately comment on the reported strikes.

"We're on the brink, and we don't know whether one will die of a strike or starvation," said Mahmoud Hashem, a Palestinian father sheltering in a tent in Gaza City.

Gaza's Health Ministry reported that the Palestinian death toll in the conflict reached 67,139 on Sunday, with nearly 170,000 injured. The ministry, which is part of the Hamas-run government, does not distinguish between civilian and combatant casualties but indicates that women and children constitute approximately half of the fatalities. The United Nations and many independent experts consider these figures the most reliable estimate of wartime casualties.

The Israeli military announced Saturday that it continues working to dismantle Hamas infrastructure throughout Gaza and warned residents against returning to northern Gaza.