Netanyahu hopes hostages to be released 'in the coming days', as Trump announces peace deal progress

Indirect talks between Israel and Hamas are set to continue in Egypt on Monday on a new US plan to end the war in Gaza, as ITV News Correspondent Neil Connery reports

Benjamin Netanyahu has said he hopes to announce the release of all hostages from Gaza "in the coming days", as Israel and Hamas prepare for indirect talks on Monday in Egypt on a new US plan to end the war.

Speaking during a televised speech late on Saturday, the Israeli Prime Minister said he has sent a delegation to Egypt to "finalise technical details", adding that they aimed to contain negotiations "to a time frame of a few days."

Posting on Truth Social, Donald Trump appeared to suggest a ceasefire deal could be imminent, pending Hamas' approval of a proposed plan for Israel's partial withdrawal from Gaza.

"After negotiations, Israel has agreed to the initial withdrawal line, which we have shown to and shared with Hamas," he wrote.

"When Hamas confirms, the ceasefire will be IMMEDIATELY effective, the hostages and prisoner exchange will begin, and we will create the conditions for the next phase of withdrawal, which will bring us close to the end of this 3,000 YEAR CATASTROPHE."

The US President appeared to be referring to the lines of Israeli troop withdrawal published as part of the US-proposed 20-point peace plan.

His comments came after Israel's army said that it would advance preparations for the first phase of US President Donald Trump's plans, the day after Hamas said it accepted parts of the deal on Friday night.

The deal requires Israel to cease all military operations in Gaza, and Donald Trump urged Israel on Friday to "stop bombing" the strip.

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A hospital official in Gaza said on Saturday that Israeli bombing of Gaza City has "significantly subsided", amid ongoing efforts to implement Donald Trump's peace plan for the region.

The Israeli Defence Force (IDF) said it had been instructed by government leaders to "advance readiness" for the implementation of the plan.

An official, who was not authorised to speak to the media on the record, told the Associated Press that Israel has moved to a defensive-only position in Gaza and will not actively strike.

The official said no forces have been removed from the strip.

Netanyahu thanked Trump during his speech, referring to him as his "dear friend", for his help in arranging the peace deal, and adding that the US president "is not going to suffer any delays on the part of Hamas."

Earlier Saturday, Donald Trump said he "will not tolerate delay" in efforts to implement his peace plan between Israel and Hamas, warning Hamas that it "must move quickly, or else all bets will be off."

The IDF announcement came hours after Trump ordered Israel to stop bombing Gaza once Hamas said it had accepted some elements of his 20-point plan.

Trump welcomed the Hamas statement, saying: "I believe they are ready for a lasting PEACE."

The US president appears keen to deliver on pledges to end the war and return hostages ahead of the second anniversary of the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel by Hamas-led militants.

Earlier, Prime Minister Keir Starmer joined world leaders in a chorus of hopeful reactions to Hamas' partial acceptance of the US peace plan for Gaza.

Hamas officials on Friday agreed to some of US President Donald Trump's ceasefire proposals, including releasing all Israeli hostages, hours after the US president warned "all hell will break out" if Hamas did not agree to a deal by Sunday evening.

The militant group said it was willing to release the hostages and hand over power to other Palestinians, but that other aspects of the plan require further consultations.

Starmer hailed the news as a "significant step forwards" and called for an "agreement without delay".

In a statement, the prime minister added: "There is now an opportunity to end the fighting, for the hostages to return home, and for humanitarian aid to reach those who so desperately need it."

He said the UK was ready to support further negotiations and work "towards sustainable peace for Israelis and Palestinians alike".

Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron posted on X that a ceasefire in Gaza was now "within reach", words echoed by German German Chancellor Friedrich Merz .

A spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged "all parties to seize the opportunity".

Trump's proposal already has the backing of Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu and is the first of its kind to envisage how Gaza would be governed if fighting were to subside.

In an official statement, Hamas agreed to release all Israeli hostages, in exchange for a cessation of hostilities and a complete withdrawal of troops from the Gaza strip.

The statement reads: "In order to achieve a cessation of hostilities and a complete withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, the movement announces its agreement to release all Israeli prisoners, both living and dead, according to the exchange formula contained in President Trump's proposal, provided the field conditions for the exchange are met.

"In this context, the movement affirms its readiness to immediately enter into negotiations through the mediators to discuss the details of this agreement."

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