HAMAS officials arrived in Egypt on Sunday ahead of talks with Israel that the U.S. hopes will lead to a halt in fighting and the freeing of hostages in Gaza, with Washington's top diplomat saying the next days are critical.
Israeli negotiators led by Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer were to travel to Egypt on Monday for negotiations in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh about the release of hostages, part of U.S. President Donald Trump's plan to end the nearly two-year Gaza war.
"We will know very quickly whether Hamas is serious or not by how these technical talks go in terms of the logistics," Reuters cited U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio teilling NBC News: "Meet the Press" on Sunday about the release of 48 remaining hostages in Gaza, 20 of whom are alive.
Trump said later on Sunday negotiations were advancing rapidly. "I am told that the first phase should be completed this week, and I am asking everyone to MOVE FAST," he said in a social media post.
The first phase deals with the release of hostages in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners.
[SRC] https://newswav.com/article/hamas-readies-for-gaza-talks-that-us-hopes-will-halt-war-free-hostages-A2510_5OGHA6
