US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that talks for a Gaza ceasefire have started and could last a few days. Speaking at the White House, he added that the negotiations were “going very well.” He also confirmed to CNN that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to consider ending the military campaign.
The talks are taking place in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. Both Israeli and Hamas representatives joined the discussions. Netanyahu said he hoped hostages in Gaza could be released soon. Trump’s plan calls for an end to the fighting and the exchange of hostages for Palestinians held in Israeli prisons.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Israel must pause airstrikes before any release can happen. “You can’t free hostages in the middle of strikes,” Rubio told CBS. He added that there are still many logistical issues to solve.
Rubio also said longer-term goals will be harder. These include removing weapons from militants and setting up a new governing body in Gaza. Trump told CNN he expects to know soon whether Hamas is serious about peace. He warned that if Hamas refuses to give up control, it risks “complete obliteration.”
