Gaza latest: Israel marks anniversary of 7 October attack after Trump hails ‘tremendous progress’ in peace talks
Donald Trump has said “tremendous progress” has been made after talks on a Gaza peace plan got underway between Israel and Hamas in Egypt.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on Monday, the US President said he thinks there will be a Gaza peace deal soon, after earlier demanding that all involved in negotiations “move fast” to end the war in the besieged Strip.
An Egyptian official with knowledge of the talks said the parties wrapped up the first round of negotiations after several hours at the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh on Monday, and the discussions were set to resume the following afternoon, the day of the conflict’s anniversary.
The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the parties have agreed on most of the first-phase terms, which include the release of hostages and establishing a ceasefire.
The indirect talks, which went on for several hours, unfolded amid many questions about the 20-point plan presented by President Trump last week, including the disarmament of the militant group – a key Israeli demand – and the future governance of Gaza.
Meanwhile, Israel is still pounding Gaza with deadly airstrikes despite the US President’s order to stop. Gaza’s Health Ministry said the Palestinian death toll reached 67,160 on Monday, after the war erupted following Hamas’ 7 October 2023 attacks on Israel, which killed nearly 1,200 people.
