Israel and Hamas are preparing for indirect negotiations in Egypt on Monday (October 6, 2025), amid growing hopes for a ceasefire and a potential hostage release deal. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said an agreement could be announced this week, while U.S. President Donald Trump welcomed Hamas’ acceptance of parts of Washington’s peace plan.
Under the proposed framework, Hamas would release the remaining 48 hostages — about 20 believed to be alive — within three days, surrender power in Gaza, and disarm. The first phase of talks will focus on a prisoner exchange, Egypt’s foreign ministry said. U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff is attending, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio describing the situation as “the closest we’ve come” to freeing all hostages.
Trump has ordered an end to Israeli airstrikes, but bombardments were reported across Gaza on Sunday, leaving at least 12 people dead, according to hospitals in Gaza City and Rafah.
Foreign ministers from eight Muslim-majority nations issued a joint statement welcoming progress toward a ceasefire and called for the return of the Palestinian Authority to govern Gaza.
Gaza’s Health Ministry said the death toll from the conflict has reached 67,139, with nearly 170,000 injured.
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