Trump likely to address Knesset as Gaza deal begins; hostage releases expected by Monday
Negotiators — including U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner and mediators from Egypt, Qatar and Turkey — began indirect talks in Sharm el‑Sheikh to implement President Trump’s 20‑point plan, and multiple officials and outlets reported Israel and Hamas had agreed in principle to a first phase that would free the remaining hostages (roughly 48, about 20 believed alive) in exchange for a prisoner swap and partial Israeli withdrawal, with releases expected imminently, potentially by Monday as logistics are worked out. The push for a deal comes amid an intensified Israeli ground and air offensive in Gaza City with large civilian evacuations and rising casualties, and Trump said he is likely to travel to Israel to address the Knesset after the deal.
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📌 Key Facts
- Indirect ceasefire/hostage‑release talks convened in Egypt (Sharm el‑Sheikh/Cairo) beginning Oct. 6–8 with Israeli and Hamas delegations (led by Ron Dermer and Khalil al‑Hayya), mediated by Egypt, Qatar and Turkey and attended by senior intelligence officials; U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner joined the negotiations.
- President Trump pushed a 20‑point plan, publicly pressed both sides, and announced that Israel and Hamas had signed off on a 'first phase' that he said would free remaining hostages and require Israeli forces to withdraw to an agreed line; he threatened force if Hamas refused and said he is likely to travel to the region and address the Knesset.
- Phase‑one terms reported across outlets call for Hamas to release the remaining ~48 hostages (about 20 believed alive) in exchange for the release of hundreds-to-thousands of Palestinian prisoners (reported figures include ~250 life‑sentence prisoners plus ~1,700 others), a partial Israeli withdrawal and humanitarian relief — with an ideal 72‑hour timetable but acknowledged logistical and verification challenges that could extend the process several days.
- U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the White House envoys, said the immediate focus was on logistics and mechanics for safe, possibly staged, releases; multiple outlets reported technical teams meeting in Egypt and said releases were expected to begin within days, with several sources saying they could start by Monday.
- As talks advanced, Israeli forces said they reduced or limited strikes to allow implementation work, though Israel had earlier intensified air and ground operations (including an expanded Gaza City offensive) — the conflict has produced heavy civilian casualties and displacement in Gaza, with reporting citing death tolls in the tens of thousands, severe malnutrition deaths, mass damage to structures and large numbers of people fleeing northern Gaza.
- The deal and its implementation prompted sharp domestic and international reactions: hostage families and victims’ advocates warned against freeing high‑level prisoners, many Palestinians expressed deep skepticism about the plan, and UN experts issued harsh rights‑based accusations that Israel rejected.
- Major unresolved, higher‑level issues remain for later phases: Hamas disarmament and enforcement, the future governance structure for Gaza (including a proposed technocratic 'Board of Peace'), the exact scope and sequencing of Israeli troop withdrawals, and guarantees to prevent renewed fighting.
📚 Contextual Background
- A peace plan proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump called for Hamas to free all remaining hostages and for the Israeli military to begin withdrawing from parts of Gaza in phases; the plan also proposed transferring parts of Gaza to a "technocratic" Palestinian committee and deploying a temporary security force backed by Arab states.
- The proposed plan specified that Hamas would release the remaining hostages taken on October 7, 2023 within 72 hours of an agreement, and that Israel would release 250 Palestinians serving life sentences plus 1,700 other Gazans detained after the start of the conflict as part of the exchange.
- U.S. officials in 2025 described a two-phase approach to ceasefire negotiations in which an initial hostage release would be followed by an Israeli military pullback to a previously held boundary position, while decisions about Gaza's future governing structure could be negotiated concurrently.
- The 2025 Trump peace proposal called for an end to Israel's military operations in Gaza, the disarmament of Hamas, and the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip under a Palestinian governing body overseen by a U.S.-led international coalition.
📰 Sources (67)
Trump tells Axios he's "likely" going to Israel for speech after Gaza deal
New information:
- Trump says he is likely to travel to Israel in the coming days to address the Knesset, after an invitation from Netanyahu.
- White House says Trump could depart after a physical exam on Friday.
- Hostage-release timeline specified: remaining hostages (about 20 believed alive) to be released between now and Monday.
- Deal terms reiterated include a partial IDF withdrawal in Gaza and Israel releasing hundreds of Palestinian prisoners; disarmament and Gaza governance still to be finalized.
Israel-Hamas peace deal reached soon after Trump says it’s ‘very close’ in White House note pass with Rubio
New information:
- Trump says Secretary of State Marco Rubio passed him a note at the White House indicating the deal was 'very close' shortly before he announced the first phase was agreed.
- Israeli TV Channel 12 reports the agreement will be signed at noon local time Thursday, with hostage and prisoner releases to occur Saturday.
- Netanyahu statement: 'With God’s help we will bring them all home.'
- Trump says he may travel to the Middle East as soon as Sunday while envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner negotiate in Egypt.
- Trump’s Truth Social language emphasizes an 'initial withdrawal line' for Israeli forces and 'amnesty' parameters as part of his 20‑point plan.
Israel and Hamas agree to first phase of peace plan, Trump says
New information:
- President Trump said the first phase provides for Hamas to release all remaining hostages (not just an initial tranche).
- Trump said Israel will withdraw its forces to an 'agreed upon line' as part of the first phase.
- Trump characterized this as the 'first phase' of a broader peace deal to end the two‑year war.
Israel and Hamas agree on the "first phase" of Gaza ceasefire deal
New information:
- Trump’s public statement claims 'ALL of the Hostages will be released very soon' as part of the first phase.
- NPR reports indicative exchange figures: about 50 hostages (living and deceased) for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners/detainees.
- NPR lists Turkey alongside Egypt and Qatar as mediators, with U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner facilitating.
- Ceasefire start timing is 'not clear' per NPR, differing from earlier timelines; Israel may initially keep some troops in Gaza before a fuller pullout.
- Deal elements reiterated: Hamas disarmament and exit from Gaza governance as envisioned in the plan.
Israel and Hamas have agreed to ‘first phase’ of Gaza peace plan, Trump announces
New information:
- AP/PBS frame the 'first phase' as a pause in fighting with release of at least some hostages and prisoners, adding nuance to earlier claims that all hostages would be freed immediately.
- New on‑the‑record quote from Netanyahu: “With God’s help we will bring them all home.”
- Confirms negotiators have been meeting in Egypt for days to hash out the Trump‑backed plan.
Israel and Hamas reach deal to release all hostages, Trump says
New information:
- Trump’s public statement frames the agreement’s 'first Phase' as releasing all remaining hostages and Israel withdrawing to an 'agreed upon line.'
- Two regional sources tell CBS there is an agreement in principle on a hostage release; after procedural issues are handled, releases would start in about 48 hours.
- Trump said he may travel to the Middle East this weekend, potentially including Gaza.
- Current indirect talks began Oct. 6 in Egypt with Egypt and Qatar mediating; U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were expected to join Wednesday.
Israel and Hamas agree to first phase of deal to end Gaza war
New information:
- PBS frames the first phase as including the release of all remaining hostages in exchange for Israel's partial withdrawal from Gaza.
- Segment characterizes the agreement as the first phase of a broader deal intended to end the two‑year war.
Hamas accepts Trump peace plan ending 2 years of war in Gaza, returning hostages
New information:
- Trump’s new statement (Truth Social) that Israel and Hamas have both 'signed off on the first Phase' of the plan.
- Specific proposed prisoner‑exchange figures: release of '250 life sentence prisoners plus 1,700 Gazans detained after Oct. 7, 2023.'
- Plan elements detailed: potential 'amnesty' for Hamas members who disarm; creation of an international 'Board of Peace' headed by Trump and Tony Blair.
- Target timeline noted: all hostages to be freed within 72 hours of an agreement (with Hamas signaling this may be unrealistic due to remains under rubble).
- Governance outline reiterated: a temporary technocratic Palestinian committee to run day‑to‑day services in Gaza; reconstruction planning to begin.
- Status of talks: Israeli and Hamas negotiators traveled to Egypt on Monday to finalize terms; Hamas voiced concerns over disarmament and trust in Israel’s future actions.
- Updated hostages context cited from the Hostages and Missing Families Forum: 48 hostages remain, 21 assessed alive.
GAZA DEAL REACHED: TRUMP
New information:
- Trump says Israel and Hamas have signed off on the first phase of his 20‑point plan.
- Phase‑one terms include the release of all remaining hostages 'very soon' and Israeli troop withdrawal to an agreed line inside Gaza.
- Talks were held in Egypt with U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner present; mediators included Qatar, Egypt and Turkey.
- Trump indicated he may travel to the region this weekend, pending a Friday physical; the White House confirmed the possible trip.
- Axios notes thorny issues remain to be negotiated, including Hamas disarmament processes and Gaza’s future governance structure.
Rubio passes Trump urgent note on Middle East peace deal during antifa roundtable
New information:
- At a White House roundtable, Marco Rubio handed Trump a handwritten note—photographed by press—reading, “You need to approve a Truth Social post soon so you can announce deal first.”
- Trump publicly said the U.S. is “very close to a deal on the Middle East,” then indicated he might leave the event to address it.
- The talks in Egypt are in their third day and include Trump’s top adviser Steve Witkoff and Qatari PM Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.
- Trump said he plans to travel to the Middle East toward the end of the week, possibly to Egypt and even the Gaza Strip.
- Event details: the exchange occurred in the White House Blue Room during an antifa-focused influencer roundtable; Trump lingered ~10 minutes after first signaling he might depart.
Trump says he "may go" to the Middle East this weekend amid peace talks
New information:
- Trump said he and his team could depart as soon as Sunday (possibly Saturday) if negotiations progress.
- White House confirms envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are in Egypt and participated in meetings on Wednesday.
- Talks focus on a 20‑point U.S. plan whose first phase would see Hamas release remaining hostages—living and deceased—within 72 hours.
- Trump publicly urged negotiators to “move fast” and said the final negotiation is with Hamas, noting Egypt and Qatar are intermediaries.
- CBS notes Hamas said Friday it had accepted some elements of the U.S.‑led proposal.
Trump teases trip to the Middle East as Gaza peace deal talks continue
New information:
- Trump said he may travel to the Middle East toward the end of the week, possibly Sunday, as part of the Gaza talks.
- Trump characterized the negotiations as 'very close' and 'doing very well.'
- An Israeli diplomatic source said talks are down to a shortlist of prisoner names and how withdrawal corridors will be managed, and that the Israeli cabinet is convening to vote on next steps.
- A U.S. official said negotiations in Sharm el-Sheikh are 'down to a couple of points.'
- Fox reports Hamas announced Friday it agreed to release all Israeli hostages, dead or alive, as part of Trump’s proposal (attribution to Hamas/Fox).
- Confirms Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff are on the ground in Egypt working the talks.
Anti-Hamas Gaza militias reject terror group, declare support for Trump’s peace plan
New information:
- Exclusive CPC video shows three anti-Hamas Gaza militias publicly endorsing President Trump’s peace plan (leaders: Yasser Abu Shabab, Ashraf Al-Mansi, Rami Hillis).
- CPC reports heavy fighting in Khan Younis between an anti-Hamas clan and Hamas forces, allegedly killing about 20 Hamas members, including a commander.
- CPC alleges Hamas’ 'Sahm Unit' moved to detain local Palestinians for interrogation; the clashes were framed as a significant escalation in on-the-ground resistance to Hamas rule.
- Article cites concurrent IDF disclosure of Hamas tunnels adjacent to the Jordanian Field Hospital and Hamad Hospital, including a missile-production workshop.
Officials "cautiously optimistic" Gaza deal will be struck this week
New information:
- Multiple participants involved in talks say they are 'cautiously optimistic' that a deal can be reached this week.
- Qatari mediators believe an agreement could be finalized by Friday.
- Sources say the goal is to announce an agreement this week and begin releasing Israeli hostages next week.
- The talks now explicitly include intelligence chiefs from Turkey and Egypt alongside negotiating teams from Israel and Hamas, per Axios reporting.
Kushner joins Witkoff for Gaza ceasefire talks as Trump pushes peace plan: 'cautiously optimistic'
New information:
- Article emphasizes Jared Kushner has "no official role" in the administration during the second term and characterizes his presence as an outside but influential mediator.
- White House official quoted calling Kushner an 'extremely trusted voice' and saying the administration is 'cautiously optimistic' about reaching a deal.
- Reports that Hamas raised specific objections — including the difficulty of quickly returning deceased hostages reportedly buried under rubble and distrust about demilitarization — are highlighted.
- Fox notes Kushner and Witkoff may remain in Egypt alongside other mediators (including Qatar) 'for as long as it takes' to secure a deal; includes an on‑the‑record outside expert quote (Rebeccah Heinrichs) assessing Kushner's involvement.
Top officials join Israel-Hamas talks, signaling toughest issues in U.S. plan are on the table
New information:
- Hamas is explicitly seeking firm guarantees from Trump and mediators that Israel will not resume military operations after hostage releases.
- Representatives from the PFLP and Palestinian Islamic Jihad were scheduled to join the Sharm el‑Sheikh talks, broadening Palestinian representation.
- Hamas official Taher Nounou said Hamas exchanged a list of Palestinian prisoners it seeks to release under the deal.
- Egyptian President Abdel‑Fattah el‑Sissi publicly described the negotiations as 'very encouraging.'
- The article frames the discussions as entering a third day with senior advisers diving into the toughest plan elements (disarmament timing, scope of Israeli withdrawal, and proposed international governance).
As Trump’s Gaza deal nears, family warns Israel not to free another Sinwar
New information:
- Quotes and analysis from Israeli expert Dr. Michael Milshtein warning that the roughly 250‑name prisoner list contains high‑level operatives who could re‑emerge as leaders after release.
- Specific named prisoners cited as on the list: Abbas al‑Sayed (Park Hotel bombing), Ibrahim Hamed (multiple life sentences), Abdullah Barghouti (explosives mastermind), and Hassan Salameh (bus attacks).
- Reporting of victims' families' backlash and explicit warnings to Israel not to free another figure like Yahya Sinwar (family concerns emphasized).
Kushner and Trump envoy arrive in Egypt for crucial negotiations on Gaza deal
New information:
- Axios confirms Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff arrived in Sharm el-Sheikh on Wednesday morning (Oct. 8, 2025) to join the negotiations.
- President Trump met his top national security team and separately met former hostage Edan Alexander and the family of Omer Neutra on Tuesday before the envoys departed.
- Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani is slated to join the talks, along with the heads of Turkish and Egyptian intelligence; Ron Dermer will represent Israel.
- Senior U.S. officials expressed cautious optimism and said Kushner and Witkoff would not leave Egypt without an agreement; a senior U.S. official urged Netanyahu that 'the time for a deal has come.'
Ex-Auburn coach Bruce Pearl issues grave warning 2 years after Oct 7 terror attacks
New information:
- Public endorsement and specific quoted warnings from former Auburn coach Bruce Pearl on Oct. 7 regarding repeat attacks and the need to demilitarize Hamas.
- Pearl explicitly commends President Trump’s efforts to secure hostages and frames the 20‑point plan (including the 72‑hour return clause) as the baseline for peace.
- Notes Pearl’s role as chairman of the U.S. Israel Education Association (USIEA) and his vocal advocacy since Oct. 7.
Distrustful of US and Israel, Palestinians are cool to Trump’s Gaza plan
New information:
- On‑the‑ground Palestinian reactions: widespread skepticism and lack of trust toward the Trump plan in Gaza and the West Bank, with residents saying they will not celebrate ceasefire talks.
- Reported that negotiations progressed in Cairo between Hamas, Israel and the United States (Oct. 7, 2025) and that many Palestinians view the plan as superficial or politically motivated.
- Concrete local quotations describing how the plan’s terms (Hamas to release hostages/give up arms; Israel to end the war/release prisoners; an international board to govern Gaza) are perceived as unfavorable or unenforceable by Palestinians, with specific concerns about Israel retaining perimeter/control of crossings and supplies.
+ 47 more sources