04.10.2025 15:05
A critical step has been taken to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza as part of U.S. President Donald Trump's plan. It has been stated that the Israeli negotiation team has begun preparations to hold indirect talks with Hamas for a prisoner exchange.
The President of the United States, Donald Trump, received a response from Hamas regarding the Gaza plan days later. The organization announced in a written statement that it agreed to release all Israeli hostages if Israeli attacks cease and Israel completely withdraws from the Gaza Strip.
According to a report on Israeli state television KAN, the Israeli negotiation team has been instructed to determine the delegation that will conduct the talks.
MEETING MAY BE TOMORROW IN EGYPT
While no information was provided about the members of the delegation and the negotiation venue, Israeli media reported that the first round of mediation talks between Israel and Hamas is likely to begin tomorrow (Sunday) in Egypt. It was also suggested that the most probable meeting place could be the resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh on the Red Sea coast. It is reported that the U.S. Special Representative for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, is on his way to Egypt with Israeli and Arab negotiators.
It was noted that Israeli security officials have prepared a list of Palestinian prisoners expected to be released under the Trump plan.
Sources indicated that the Israeli side did not find Hamas's response positive and that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was surprised by Trump's response, while also conveying that Israel accepted the situation imposed by the American side on the ground.
The Israeli Prime Minister's Office announced that they are preparing to implement the first phase of Trump's plan in response to Hamas's reply and that all Israeli hostages will be released immediately.
ISRAEL CONTINUES ATTACKS
Despite Netanyahu stating that he will continue to work in full cooperation with Trump and his team to end the war, Israel's attacks on Gaza continue.
Hamas had announced that it accepted the prisoner exchange in President Trump's Gaza plan and that other items needed to be negotiated.
Trump also stated, "Based on the statement just made by Hamas, I believe they are ready for a lasting peace. Israel must immediately stop the bombardment of Gaza so that we can safely and quickly extract the hostages."
Since October 2023, the Israeli army has conducted intense attacks and imposed a strict blockade on Gaza, resulting in the deaths of over 67,000 Palestinians.
TRUMP'S GAZA PLAN
Hamas announced that some items of President Donald Trump's plan for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip have been accepted, while other items are open for discussion in comprehensive negotiations.
The White House had announced Trump's proposal titled "Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict," consisting of 20 items.
During a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House, Trump stated that if the plan is accepted by the parties, "the war" will end immediately, Israel will gradually withdraw from Gaza, a new process without Hamas's role will begin in Gaza, and all hostages will be released.
Netanyahu also expressed support for the plan, stating that it "achieves the war objectives."
HERE IS THE 20-ITEM PLAN
The details of the 20-item Gaza plan presented by President Trump and approved by Netanyahu were announced by the White House. Here are those items:
- Gaza will be a region free from radicalization and terrorism that does not pose a threat to its neighbors.
- Gaza will be rebuilt for the benefit of the people of Gaza, who have suffered enough.
- If both sides accept this proposal, the war will end immediately. Israeli forces will withdraw to the agreed border to prepare for the prisoner exchange. During this time, all military operations — including air and artillery bombardments — will be suspended, and the front lines will remain frozen until the necessary conditions for gradual and complete withdrawal are met.
- All hostages — both living and deceased — will be returned within 72 hours after Israel publicly accepts this agreement.
- When all hostages are released, Israel will release 250 prisoners serving life sentences and 1,700 Gazans detained after October 7, 2023 — including women and children. For every deceased Israeli hostage, Israel will return the remains of 15 deceased Gazans.
- After all hostages are returned, amnesty will be granted to Hamas members who pledge to live peacefully together and agree to lay down their arms. Safe passage will be provided for Hamas members wishing to leave Gaza.
- With the acceptance of this agreement, comprehensive humanitarian aid will be sent to the Gaza Strip immediately. At a minimum, daily aid will be consistent with the humanitarian assistance outlined in the agreement dated January 19, 2025. This includes the rehabilitation of infrastructure (water, electricity, sewage), reconstruction of hospitals and bakeries, and allowing the entry of necessary equipment for debris removal.
- The entry and distribution of humanitarian aid to Gaza will continue without the intervention of the parties, through the United Nations and its agencies, with cooperation from other international organizations. The opening of the Rafah border crossing in both directions will also be subject to the same mechanism implemented in the January 19, 2025 agreement.
- Gaza will be governed by a temporary technocratic and politically neutral Palestinian committee. This committee will be responsible for providing daily public services and municipal affairs for the people of Gaza. The committee will consist of qualified Palestinians and international experts and will be overseen by a new international transition board. This board will be called the "Peace Council" and will convene under the chairmanship of President Donald J. Trump. The council will also include figures such as former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, as well as other heads of state to be announced. This board will manage funds for the reconstruction of Gaza based on various proposals, including Trump's peace plan announced in 2020 and the Saudi-French proposal, and will align with the funding programs of the Palestinian Authority. This board will work to create an independent and effective administration that meets international standards. This administration aims to establish a reliable governance that serves the people of Gaza and enables Palestinians and Israelis to live together in peace.
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Trump's economic development plan to rebuild and revitalize Gaza will be created by a delegation of experts who will help in the construction of some advanced modern miracle cities in the Middle East. Numerous well-thought-out investment proposals and exciting development ideas have been prepared by well-meaning international groups, and these ideas will be evaluated to synthesize security and governance frameworks and ensure that these investments facilitate hope for business, opportunity, and the future.A special economic zone will be established, and preferred customs tariffs and access rates will be negotiated with participating countries.No one will be forced to leave Gaza, and those who wish to leave will be allowed to do so freely and return. We will encourage people to stay and offer them the opportunity to build a better Gaza.Hamas and other groups will agree not to play any role in the governance of Gaza, directly or indirectly, in any way. All military, terrorist, and attack infrastructures, including tunnels and weapons production facilities, will be destroyed and will not be rebuilt. There will be a process of demilitarization of Gaza under the supervision of independent monitors. This will include the permanent incapacitation of weapons and an approved liquidation process supported by an internationally funded buyback and reintegration program; this program will be verified by independent monitors. The new Gaza will be committed to building a fully prosperous economy and living peacefully alongside its neighbors.Regional partners will ensure that Hamas and other groups fulfill their obligations and that the New Gaza does not pose a threat to its neighbors or its own people.The United States will work with Arab and international partners to develop a temporary International Stabilization Force (ISF); this force will be deployed to Gaza immediately. The ISF will train and support the approved Palestinian police forces in Gaza and will consult with Jordan and Egypt, which have extensive experience in this area. This force will be a transition process to a long-term internal security solution. The ISF will work with Israel and Egypt to ensure security in border areas and will operate alongside newly trained Palestinian police forces. It is critical to prevent the entry of borders to restart and secure the flow of goods. A disarmament mechanism will be implemented and verified by the ISF.Israel will not occupy or annex Gaza. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will withdraw according to disarmament-related standards, milestones, and timelines; this plan will be agreed upon between the IDF, ISF, guarantors, and the United States. The goal is that Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel, Egypt, or its citizens. In practice, the IDF will gradually transfer the occupied Gaza territories to the ISF; they will establish temporary authority in these areas according to an agreement with the ISF and will eventually withdraw completely from Gaza. However, a perimeter security presence will be maintained until Gaza is adequately secured to ensure its security against any potential re-emerging terrorist threats.If Hamas delays or rejects this proposal, the above will proceed in the unarmed areas transferred from the IDF to the ISF, including scaled aid operations.An interfaith dialogue process will be established based on the values of tolerance and living together in peace; efforts will be made to change the minds and narratives of Palestinians and Israelis, emphasizing the benefits that can be gained from peace.As the reconstruction and governance of Gaza progresses and the Palestinian Authority's reform program is faithfully implemented, conditions may ultimately be prepared for a credible path towards the right of self-determination and statehood for the Palestinians; this is recognized as the desire of the Palestinian people.The United States will initiate a dialogue on a political horizon for peaceful and prosperous coexistence between Israelis and Palestinians.```