Fresh Israeli strikes were reported in Gaza as negotiators from Israel, the US and Hamas head to Egypt for talks. Meanwhile, Syria is holding its first elections since the ouster of Bashar Assad.
US President Donald Trump has praised discussions between Hamas negotiators and mediating countries ahead of talks in Egypt on Monday.
The meetings in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh will focus on Trump’s 20-point peace plan for Gaza, which he unveiled last week alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Trump suggested the first phase of the plan could be completed in the coming week.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said, “There have been very positive discussions with Hamas, and Countries from all over the World (Arab, Muslim, and everyone else) this weekend, to release the Hostages, end the War in Gaza but, more importantly, finally have long sought PEACE in the Middle East.”
The US president said the talks have been “very successful” and were “proceeding rapidly.”
He said the “technical teams” meeting in Egypt on Monday would “work through and clarify the final details” of his peace plan.
“I am told that the first phase should be completed this week, and I am asking everyone to MOVE FAST,” Trump said, adding that he would “continue to monitor this Centuries old ‘conflict.'”
Trump signed off with another all caps warning seemingly to Hamas. “TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE OR, MASSIVE BLOODSHED WILL FOLLOW — SOMETHING THAT NOBODY WANTS TO SEE!”