Daijiworld Media Network- Washington

Washington, Oct 6: US President Donald Trump is pressing Israel and Hamas to reach a settlement to the two-year conflict in Gaza as mediated talks are set to begin Monday in Egypt.

US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner will participate, while an Israeli delegation led by Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and Hamas representatives Ghazi Hamad, Osama Hamdan, and Muhamed Darwish will hold indirect negotiations in Sharm el Sheikh.

Trump demanded the release of all remaining hostages, including those who died, in exchange for Israel freeing Palestinian prisoners. “The first phase should be completed this week,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, calling discussions “very positive” and urging parties to act swiftly.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has left open the possibility of disarming Hamas by force, with an immediate swap of hostages and prisoners to follow any agreement. Meanwhile, the Israeli military has taken a defensive posture in Gaza, where airstrikes and shelling continue.

Hamas triggered the conflict on Oct. 7, 2023, killing 1,200 Israelis and abducting around 250 people. The war has claimed more than 66,000 Palestinian lives, and Israel has lost over 450 soldiers.

The talks represent the most optimistic diplomatic step since the conflict began. Markets responded positively, with the Israeli shekel rising 1.9% against the dollar last week amid hopes for a ceasefire.

Trump has also signaled that a truce and the release of hostages could bolster his bid for the Nobel Peace Prize, with the next winner to be announced on Oct 10.