Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner Head to Cairo to Finalize Gaza Peace Deal/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are traveling to Cairo to finalize a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release under President Trump’s peace plan. Israel has paused bombing as part of the talks, while Hamas conditionally accepted parts of the U.S. proposal. The negotiations mark the first phase of Trump’s 21-point plan to end the nearly two-year war in Gaza.
Quick Look
- Who: Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, Israeli and Hamas negotiators
- Where: Cairo, Egypt
- What: Talks to finalize Trump’s Gaza peace plan
- When: Beginning Saturday, October 4
- Why it matters: First real step toward ending nearly two years of war
US Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner Head to Cairo to Finalize Gaza Peace Deal
Deep Look
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is leading a high-level American delegation to Cairo on Saturday for crucial talks with Israeli and Hamas negotiators aimed at finalizing a ceasefire and securing the release of all remaining hostages — a key first step in President Donald Trump’s 21-point peace plan to end the nearly two-year war in Gaza.
A senior White House official confirmed that Witkoff, joined by Jared Kushner, will work with Egyptian, Israeli, and Qatari mediators to settle “the technical details of the hostage release” and outline a framework for a lasting peace agreement.
“Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will travel to Egypt later today to finalize the technical details of the hostage release and discuss the lasting peace deal,” the official said.
“I appreciate that Israel has temporarily stopped the bombing in order to give the Hostage Release and Peace Deal a chance to be completed,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Let’s get this done — fast. Everyone will be treated fairly.”
Key Developments
- Witkoff and Kushner to meet in Cairo with Israeli and Hamas negotiators.
- Trump’s 21-point peace plan enters its first phase, focused on hostage release.
- Israel halts bombing temporarily as part of the talks.
- Hamas signals partial acceptance of U.S.-backed framework but disputes timeline.
- Arab-led stabilization force to oversee Gaza post-withdrawal.
A New Phase in Trump’s Gaza Plan
The Cairo summit marks the start of what the White House calls the “implementation phase” of Trump’s peace initiative. The plan calls for a ceasefire, Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and the release of 48 hostages, including 20 believed to be alive, in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
A senior Israeli official told Channel 12 that the first hostages could be freed “within days” as both sides finalize security guarantees and monitoring arrangements.
Witkoff, who has already negotiated the release of all surviving American hostages, will coordinate closely with Kushner — Trump’s son-in-law and architect of the Abraham Accords, which normalized Israel’s relations with several Arab nations in 2020.
Israel Signals Readiness
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said in a statement that Israel is “ready for immediate implementation” of the plan’s first phase — the release of hostages.
“We will continue to fully cooperate with the president and his team to end the war in accordance with the principles that Israel laid out and which are in line with President Trump’s vision,” the statement read.
Israeli Army Radio reported that Netanyahu has instructed the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to scale back operations in Gaza City, focusing only on defensive measures while ceasefire logistics are negotiated.
Hamas Reaction: Cautious but Conditional
Hamas has publicly accepted portions of the Trump plan but maintains that “field conditions” — including a verified halt to Israeli ground movements — must be met before any hostages are freed.
The group did not commit to Trump’s 72-hour deadline or to disarmament, one of Israel’s key demands.
“The president’s 72-hour demand is theoretical and unrealistic under current conditions,” said Mousa Abu Marzouk, head of Hamas’s foreign relations office in Qatar, in an interview with Al Jazeera.
“All details related to the peacekeeping force need understandings and clarification.”
Abu Marzouk said Hamas is open to handing administrative control of Gaza to independent Palestinians supported by a “national consensus,” but he warned the group “will not accept threats or dictates.”
Peace Framework: Arab-Led Stabilization Force
Trump’s framework envisions an Arab-led multinational peacekeeping mission, coordinated by Egypt, Turkey, and Qatar, with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair playing a leadership role in Gaza’s reconstruction and governance transition.
The plan’s next phase includes:
- Humanitarian corridors for displaced Palestinians.
- Reconstruction of Gaza’s destroyed infrastructure.
- Establishment of an interim Palestinian governing body.
- Gradual normalization between Israel and additional Arab states.
Mixed Global Reactions
While U.S. allies and mediators have cautiously welcomed Trump’s initiative, skepticism remains high.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), a longtime Trump ally, questioned Hamas’ intentions, warning that the group’s refusal to disarm “amounts to a rejection” of the proposal.
European leaders and the United Nations have urged all sides to seize what they called a “rare window for peace” after nearly two years of devastating conflict that has killed more than 67,000 Palestinians and displaced millions, according to Gaza health officials.
Families of Hostages Express Hope
Families of those held captive expressed cautious optimism following news of the Cairo talks.
“We’re hopeful this is the beginning of the end,” said Ronen Neutra, whose 21-year-old son, Omer, was among the hostages taken on Oct. 7, 2023.
“President Trump’s threats seem to have pushed Hamas toward real action. We’re praying that this deal will finally bring our children home.”
Two American hostages — Itay Chen (19) and Omer Neutra (21) — are believed to be among those killed, with their remains still held in Gaza.
Trump Pushes for Swift Resolution
Trump has described the ceasefire talks as a potential “historic turning point” in Middle East diplomacy.
“Hamas must move quickly, or all bets are off,” Trump warned. “I will not tolerate delay or any outcome where Gaza remains a threat. Peace is within reach — let’s finish it.”
Kushner and Witkoff are expected to remain in Cairo through the weekend, alongside Egyptian intelligence officials and Qatari mediators, to supervise final signatures and coordinate the hostages’ release logistics.
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