The channel reported that "Witkoff is on his way to Egypt," noting that preparations are underway for the talks, likely to take place Sunday in the city of Arish in northeastern Egypt. It quoted Israeli sources as saying that "the talks will be held at the highest levels, and the Americans expect them to yield tangible results and launch the first phase of the deal."
Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer is expected to participate in the negotiations on the Israeli side, while Witkoff will represent the American side, and US President Donald Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, may join them.
In the same context, the Israeli Kan channel reported that the Israeli negotiating team had received instructions to prepare to send an official delegation, adding that "Israeli security officials are preparing a list of the names of Palestinian prisoners who could be released as part of the anticipated exchange deal."
According to Israeli sources quoted by the channel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was surprised by Trump's response to Hamas's position, but he is forced to deal with the "fait accompli" imposed by the US administration.
This comes after Netanyahu's office announced early Saturday that Israel "is preparing, in light of Hamas's response, to implement the first phase of the Trump plan for the immediate release of all hostages."
Meanwhile, a Hamas leader revealed to Agence France-Presse that Egypt will host a conference of Palestinian factions to determine the future of the Gaza Strip after the war ends. He confirmed that the conference "will discuss the administration of the Strip through an interim independent committee comprised of national experts, until the Palestinian Authority is unified across all territories."
Hamas announced on Friday evening that it had submitted its response to the Trump plan to the mediators, expressing its agreement to the release of all Israeli prisoners, living and dead, and to handing over control of the Gaza Strip to a Palestinian body of technocrats. Hamas also affirmed that the future of Gaza and the rights of the Palestinian people "are being discussed within a comprehensive national framework."
"I believe they are ready for a lasting peace," US President Donald Trump said in a statement following Hamas's response, calling on Israel to halt its bombing of Gaza "immediately" to enable the plan's implementation and the safe release of prisoners.
Tel Aviv estimates that there are 48 Israeli prisoners in Gaza, 20 of whom are still alive. Meanwhile, some 11,100 Palestinians are languishing in its prisons, suffering torture, starvation, and medical neglect. Many of these Palestinians have been killed, according to Palestinian and Israeli human rights and media reports.
On September 29, Trump announced a 20-point plan, including the release of Israeli prisoners held in Gaza within 72 hours of Israel's acceptance of the plan, a ceasefire, and the disarmament of Hamas.
Since October 7, 2023, Israel, with American support, has been committing genocide in Gaza, leaving 67,074 martyrs and 169,430 wounded, most of them children and women, and a famine that has claimed the lives of 459 Palestinians, including 154 children.
