Trump Sends Witkoff, Kushner to Middle East

US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are expected to arrive in Cairo for talks on the deal to end the war in Gaza, a source familiar with the negotiations reported on Saturday.

Hamas negotiators are also expected to arrive in Cairo on Saturday night, according to Saudi outlet Al Arabiya.

An Israeli delegation will arrive on Sunday or Monday.

Officials believe that there is limited time to strike a deal, hence the rush to the negotiating table. “We are heading into a dramatic week," a senior Israeli official told Israeli media outlet N12.

The deal, as originally stated by US President Donald Trump, calls for the release of all hostages, living and deceased, within 72 hours of agreement.

Hamas, US, Israel head for hostage deal talks

However, N12 reported that Israel understands that the timetable for the hostages' release could be stretched out depending on the situation on the ground in Gaza.
One Hamas official told the AFP that Egypt will host an "intra-Palestinian dialogue on Palestinian unity and the future of Gaza, including the administration of the Gaza Strip."

"We are ready to begin negotiations immediately to finalize all issues," the anonymous Hamas official added.

Al Sharq reported that Israel will reportedly exchange 250 life prisoners and more than 1,700 prisoners who were arrested after the October 7 massacre.

N12 reported that Israeli security officials have already begun making a list of the prisoners who could be released as part of the hastened negotiations. Both sides are also preparing withdrawal maps.

The Israeli delegation is reportedly trying to speed up talks on the hostages, and wants to table discussions on an IDF withdrawal from Gaza, the meaning of the full ceasefire, and the names of the prisoners set to be released.

This comes after Palestinian-American negotiator Bishara Bahbah told Walla that he believes that Trump's Gaza deal “could indeed mark the end of the war and the release of all the hostages."

“I truly believe that good things are happening now," he added.

“I can see before my eyes the end of the war and the release of all the hostages,” he said

Earlier, the IDF announced that it would be moving to defensive operations after Trump implored Israel to stop striking Gaza to allow the return of the hostages.

Israel must immediately stop the bombing of Gaza, so that we can get the Hostages out safely and quickly! Right now, it’s far too dangerous to do that. We are already in discussions on details to be worked out. This is not about Gaza alone, this is about long sought PEACE in the Middle East," Trump wrote on Truth Social.

If the talks fail, Israel will continue fighting in Gaza.