Donald Trump Urges Delegates to ‘Move Fast’ as Discussions Start in Egypt
Key Points from Donald Trump’s 20-Point ‘Resolution Strategy’ for the Gaza Strip?
In the event that each faction consent to a specific series of terms, the halt to conflict will be accompanied by the liberation of all individuals held by Hamas, including deceased and living, “over a 72-hour period” of Israel’s leadership publicly accepting the agreement.
In return for the liberation of detainees, Israeli authorities would free 250 Palestinians presently undergoing indefinite prison terms and an additional 1,700 Palestinians in Gaza apprehended after the hostilities erupted on 7 October 2023 following the lethal assault by Hamas on Israel.
For each Israeli national held hostage whose body is returned, the Israeli side will release the bodies of 15 Palestinian fatalities.
This proposal does not necessitate a complete Israeli pullout prior to the hostage liberation. On the contrary, Israeli forces would withdraw to an agreed upon line, within Gaza, to prepare for a prisoner exchange.
The proposal says that all armed activities, encompassing air strikes and shelling, will be suspended during the liberation procedure and combat positions will remain frozen until “requirements are satisfied for the complete staged withdrawal”.
After all hostages are released, clemency will be given to Hamas affiliates – the Islamist military group that the Israeli PM, PM Netanyahu, has consistently pledged to eliminate – who consent to peaceful coexistence and to surrender their arms.
Individuals who want to exit Gaza will be provided with protected movement to nations who have agreed to receive them.
The comprehensive strategy foresees Gaza territory as “a de-radicalized terror-free zone that does not pose any danger to its neighbours”. Furthermore, it states the area will be “reconstructed for the benefit of the Gaza residents, who have suffered more than enough”.
Importantly, and in defiance of the vision of a few of Netanyahu’s extremist political allies, the Israeli government will refrain from occupying or incorporate the territory, which was home to 21 settlements from Israel prior to their inhabitants were withdrawn in the year 2005.
Furthermore, not anyone be forced to leave the Gaza region, the proposal assures. Those who wish to leave will be permitted to do so without restriction and allowed to come back.
Hamas as an entity will not be allowed any role, “directly or indirectly”, in the future administration of the area.
Donald Trump Urges Representatives to ‘Accelerate Progress’ as They Gather in Egypt for Gaza Discussions
President Trump has urged delegates from Hamas and Israel meeting in the nation of Egypt for vital discussions focused on halting the war led by Israel in the Gaza Strip to “act quickly,” stating, in comments on Sunday, that there had been “very positive” talks.
President Trump commented:
We have had extremely constructive negotiations with the Hamas organization, and States from around the globe (Arab and Muslim nations, among others) this weekend, to free the captives, halt the conflict in Gaza but, more importantly, finally have long sought stability in the area of the Middle East.
These talks have been highly productive, and proceeding rapidly. The technical teams will again meet on Monday, in the Egyptian Republic, to address and clarify the remaining specifics. I am told that the initial stage should be completed in the coming days, and I am requesting everyone to ACCELERATE PROGRESS.
The US envoy Witkoff is slated to attend the discussions, based on sources in Israel, together with Israel’s negotiators and a Palestinian delegation headed by Al-Hayya, the assistant leader of the administrative wing of the Hamas movement.
Khalil al-Hayya is reportedly due to meet with intermediaries from Qatar and Egypt in Cairo, Egypt on Monday morning, ahead of negotiations in the resort city of Egypt of Sharm El Sheikh.
Nevertheless, the lead negotiator for Israel, strategic affairs minister Ron Dermer, is anticipated to participate in negotiations later this week, depending on developments in the talks, as per several officials from Israel.
Optimism about a possible truce has escalated globally, with officials from Western and Arab countries encouraging Hamas and Israel to come to a deal. During Sunday, the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, contacted Israeli PM Netanyahu and voiced backing for the Trump plan, calling it “the best chance for resolution”, as per a summary.