On Sunday, indirect talks are expected to begin in Cairo on the ceasefire agreement and hostage release, based on a proposal by US President Donald Trump, Al Arabiya reported. And while the Palestinian organization Islamic Jihad said “yes” to Hamas’ response, Israeli officials believe the US side will put pressure on both sides to accept its proposal.

A Hamas delegation is expected to arrive in Cairo tonight (4.10.2025) for the talks. On the way is the US special envoy for the Middle East, Steve Whitcoff, as well as Israeli and Arab negotiators, Israeli media reported. Israeli media reported that President Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, may be present at the talks, indicating Washington’s willingness to ensure that the deal goes ahead.

The two sides are reportedly preparing a ceasefire and hostage release map. Officials say there is limited time to reach an agreement. A senior Israeli official told the N12 channel that “we are heading for a dramatic week.”

“Yes” from Islamic Jihad to Hamas’ response

The positive attitude of the hardline Islamic Jihad, an ally of Hamas, which is also holding hostages, is seen as potentially helping to pave the way for the release of the hostages.

“Hamas’ opposition to Trump’s plan represents the position of the Palestinian resistance factions, and Islamic Jihad participated responsibly in the consultations leading to this decision,” the organization said.

Hamas on Friday accepted some key points of Donald Trump’s plan to end the war, Israel’s withdrawal and the release of Israeli hostages and imprisoned Palestinians.

At the same time, a Hamas official told Agence France-Presse that Egypt will host a Palestinian dialogue on unity and the future of Gaza. “We are ready to start negotiations immediately to finalize all issues,” he added anonymously.

Release of prisoners and hostages

Al Sharq reported that Israel will release 250 lifelong prisoners and over 1,700 prisoners arrested after October 7, 2023, when Hamas went on a massacre in Israel.

According to N12, Israeli security services have already begun compiling a list of prisoners who may be released.

Tel Aviv will reportedly speed up talks on the hostages and postpone until later discussions on the withdrawal of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) from Gaza, the definition of a “full ceasefire” and the names of the prisoners to be released. An Israeli official told Channel 12 that the hostages could be freed “within a few days” if talks to finalise the details proceed smoothly.

Hamas disarmament and next steps

If the hostages are released and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners are freed, the talks will continue with the disarmament of Hamas, the demilitarization of Gaza and the next steps in its administration.

Israeli officials argue that Trump’s plan gives Israel a huge advantage, as on the one hand it will recover its hostages while its army will remain in much of Gaza during subsequent negotiations.

The same source added that the 72-hour period for the release of all hostages will begin once the “technical talks” in Egypt are completed, although a short extension may be granted to locate the bodies of the dead hostages.

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