US President Donald Trump has urged mediators to “move fast” as critical peace talks between Israel and Hamas begin in Cairo, Egypt. The negotiations, mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, aim to secure a ceasefire, release hostages, and end the prolonged conflict in Gaza.
The talks follow Hamas’ partial acceptance of a 20-point US peace plan that includes releasing hostages and transferring Gaza’s governance to a technocratic Palestinian authority. However, the group has avoided commitments on disarmament and its political role in Gaza’s future.
Writing on social media, Trump described the discussions as “very successful,” adding, “time is of the essence or massive bloodshed will follow.” He emphasized that the deal would benefit “Israel, the Arab world, and the entire world.”
Despite calls for calm, Israeli air strikes continued in Gaza over the weekend. An Israeli government spokesperson confirmed there was “no ceasefire in place,” although some bombings had stopped. Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry reported at least 65 deaths in the past 24 hours.
The proposed peace plan includes the release of 48 hostages 20 believed to be alive in exchange for hundreds of detained Gazans. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed hope that a hostage deal could be announced “in the coming days.”
Hamas’ relatively restrained response to the US proposal surprised many Palestinians, signaling potential willingness to negotiate under pressure from regional mediators. Still, skepticism remains high amid ongoing violence and humanitarian devastation in Gaza.
As delegations from Israel, Hamas, and the US gather in Cairo, the world watches closely. Whether this round of talks can finally pave the way toward a lasting ceasefire remains uncertain, but Trump’s push for swift progress adds new urgency to a conflict that has already claimed over 67,000 lives.
