Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Saturday evening that political and military pressure has forced Hamas to accept the peace plan proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu © PMO
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Saturday evening that political and military pressure has forced Hamas to accept the peace plan proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump.
He stated that Israel and the U.S. will define the framework for negotiations, which are set to begin in Egypt in the coming days.
“I’ve instructed the teams to finalize the details,” Netanyahu said, expressing hope that all hostages could be returned during the Jewish festival of Sukkot, while Israeli forces remain in Gaza.
He emphasized that Hamas’s shift in stance was due to Israeli military and political pressure, noting: “After the negotiations, Hamas will be dismantled — either militarily or politically.”
Negotiations will begin with technical coordination for hostage release, followed by deeper talks on the next phases. Israeli Minister Ron Dermer will lead the Israeli delegation.
Meanwhile, Trump confirmed on social media that Israel had paused airstrikes to allow for progress. “The Hamas must act quickly,” he warned. “No delays. Let’s end this now.”
The first phase of the plan involves the release of all Israeli hostages, while the IDF remains in Gaza. However, Israeli officials are preparing for a “dramatic week,” in case the talks collapse.
Benjamin Netanyahu's position in the post-election battle to stay on as Israel's prime minister weakened on Thursday after an ultra-Orthodox Jewish party withheld support for any nominee and an Arab-led party endorsed his main opponent.
British pop icon Boy George made a triumphant return to Israel on Wednesday evening, performing before a sold-out crowd at Tel Aviv’s Menora Mivtachim Arena.
Turkey's parliament is set on Wednesday to ratify a defence pact with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan that includes a collective defence clause, committing NATO's second-largest army to Riyadh's defence as it faces attacks by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis.
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