Egypt is hosting a new round of indirect negotiations on Sunday between delegations representing Israel and Palestinian factions, aimed at reaching an agreement on a prisoner exchange deal.
The discussions, held in Cairo, come a day after the Palestinian factions announced their decision to proceed with a plan proposed by US President Donald Trump, a move the American leader welcomed.
According to sources cited by the private broadcaster Cairo News Channel, “indirect meetings will take place in Egypt between the Israeli and Palestinian delegations.”
The sources added that the talks will focus on “creating the necessary conditions in the Gaza Strip for the exchange of Palestinian prisoners and Israeli detainees,” though no further details were provided.
A senior Egyptian security source told the network that delegations from both sides would “begin arriving in Cairo today and tomorrow to discuss field arrangements for the comprehensive prisoner swap process.”
Israeli media, including Channel 12, also reported that the indirect talks would begin in Egypt on Sunday.
On Friday evening, the Palestinian factions said in a statement that they had submitted their official response to Trump’s Gaza proposal to mediators, confirming their willingness to release “all Israeli prisoners, both alive and deceased.”
The factions also reiterated their support for transferring governance of the Gaza Strip to a “Palestinian technocratic authority” based on national consensus and backed by Arab and Islamic countries. However, they stressed that the future of Gaza and the rights of the Palestinian people “must be discussed within a Palestinian framework.”
Reacting to the factions’ announcement, President Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform: “Based on the statement issued by the factions, I believe they are ready for a lasting peace.” He added: “Israel must halt its bombardment of Gaza immediately so we can safely and quickly get the hostages (Israeli prisoners) out. At the moment, it is too dangerous to do so.”
Trump had unveiled a 20-point plan on 29 September, which includes the release of Israeli captives held in Gaza, a ceasefire, and the disarmament of the Palestinian factions.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu endorsed the plan during a joint press conference with Trump at the White House last Monday, describing it as one that “achieves Israel’s war objectives.”
Israeli authorities estimate that 48 of their citizens are held captive in Gaza, including 20 who are believed to be alive. Meanwhile, around 11,100 Palestinians are imprisoned in Israel, where many face torture, starvation, and medical neglect, according to Palestinian and Israeli human rights reports.
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