Israel continues its bombing campaign in Gaza, resulting in 63 deaths in the last 24 hours. Negotiators have arrived in Cairo for talks on a potential deal that includes the release of hostages held by Hamas.
Focus of Cairo Talks
The upcoming discussions in Cairo are set for Monday, centered on releasing 48 hostages held by Hamas in exchange for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli custody. The Egyptian foreign ministry confirmed this focus.
Participants will include the US envoy Steve Witkoff, Israeli negotiators, and a Palestinian delegation led by Khalil al-Hayya from Hamas. Talks are expected to last a few days, according to Israeli government spokesperson Shosh Bedrosian.
Potential for Ceasefire
There is cautious optimism for a ceasefire, as Trump stated that a hostage release and prisoner swap could end fighting. Both the US and Hamas believe an agreement is possible after Hamas partially accepted Trump’s proposal.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that discussions need to address logistical details for the hostage release, warning that complications could still arise.
Ongoing Violence and Casualties
Despite negotiations, Israel’s military actions continue, killing at least eight individuals in separate strikes. The total number of casualties from the campaign has reached over 67,000, with many being women and children.
While some bombings have reportedly stopped, a full ceasefire is not yet in place. Israel maintains that its military actions are in self-defense against Hamas, which it blames for prior violence.
