The US President, Donald Trump, said that Israel agreed to an “initial withdrawal line” in Gaza, pending Hamas confirmation to begin ceasefire.
Meanwhile, negotiators are heading to Cairo to engage in talks aimed at ending the war in Gaza and releasing the remaining hostages, after Hamas responded positively to Trump’s peace plan.
Initial Withdrawal Line
On Saturday, Trump said that Israel agreed to an initial withdrawal line outlined in his ceasefire proposal. “After negotiations, Israel has agreed to the initial withdrawal line, which we have shown to, and shared with, Hamas,” he wrote on Truth Social.
He added that when Hamas approves, “the Ceasefire will be IMMEDIATELY effective, the Hostages and Prisoner Exchange will begin, and we will create the conditions for the next phase of withdrawal.”
Trump posted a map showing an Israeli troop withdrawal line that indicates Israel will maintain control of Rafah, Beit Hanoun and the Philadelphi Corridor – a measure Hamas is likely to oppose.
Israeli Optimism
In a televised address on Saturday, the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, touted “big achievement,” expressing hope that the hostages will return soon while the Israeli forces remain deep inside Gaza.
“We are on the verge of a very big achievement. It’s not final yet, but I hope that in the coming days, during the Sukkot holiday, I will be able to announce to you the return of all of the hostages in one phase, while the (Israeli military) remains deep inside the strip and the territories that control it,” he said.
Sukkot is a Jewish holiday that starts on Monday evening and runs for a week.
Earlier, the US President warned Hamas to move quickly towards a deal or face consequences. “Hamas must move quickly, or else all bets will be off. I will not tolerate delay, which many think will happen, or any outcome where Gaza poses a threat again. Let’s get this done, FAST. Everyone will be treated fairly!” he posted.
Negotiators in Cairo
Hamas and Israeli negotiators are heading to Cairo to begin indirect talks on Sunday and Monday, aimed at advancing Trump’s ceasefire plan to end the war in Gaza.
Egypt confirmed hosting the talks. “Egypt will host delegations from Israel and Hamas on Monday, October 6, 2025, to discuss the provision of field conditions and the details of the process of exchanging all Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, in accordance with the proposal of US President Donald Trump,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu said on Saturday that he instructed his negotiators, led by Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, to “finalize the technical details,” according to CNN.
“Our goal is to limit the negotiations to just a few days. Trump made it clear: We will not tolerate stalling tactics or evasions,” Netanyahu said.
Moreover, Trump sent two envoys to Cairo – his son-in-law Jared Kushner and his Middle East Special Envoy, Steve Witkoff – the White House said.
Israeli Bombing Unabated
Despite Trump’s call for Israel to immediately stop operations in Gaza, the Israeli military carried out deadly strikes in Gaza on Saturday, killing dozens of Palestinians reported AFP.
According to the spokesman for the civil defense agency, Mahmud Bassal, “the death toll from the ongoing Israeli bombardment since dawn today stands at 57, including 40 in Gaza City alone.”
The Israeli military said that its operations in Gaza City are still underway, warning residents not to return there because doing so would be “extremely dangerous.”
On Friday, Hamas agreed to parts of Trump’s 20-point peace plan for Gaza, including the release of all hostages and handing over the administration of the Strip to an independent Palestinian body, while insisting it should have a say in the enclave’s future.
In response, Trump welcomed their statement, saying the group is “ready for a lasting PEACE.” He also ordered Israel to “immediately stop the bombing of Gaza, so that we can get the Hostages out safely and quickly.”
Since its eruption on October 7, 2023, the war in Gaza has killed more than 67,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
