Israel has begun compiling lists of Palestinian political prisoners slated for release as part of preparations to accelerate negotiations with Hamas.
Talks are expected to begin Sunday in Cairo, with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff reportedly en route to assess the seriousness of the process and ensure all parties are committed.
Israeli negotiation teams have also been tasked with drafting military withdrawal maps—still a point of contention between both sides—and preparing for the delegation’s departure to Egypt for Saturday consultations on advancing the first phase of the deal.
This follows Hamas’s formal response to President Donald Trump’s plan to end the war in Gaza and secure the release of hostages. An Israeli official told Channel 12, “We are heading into a decisive week.”
Israel is holding internal meetings focused on phase one, prioritizing the release of all Israeli captives while deferring discussion of Palestinian prisoner names, withdrawal lines, and ceasefire terms to later stages.
|So, the Genocide Is ‘Over-ish’—Now What?|
According to Israeli sources, both sides are expected to agree on negotiations, with the release of all hostages serving as the starting point.
Late Friday night, talks were held between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office and the White House. U.S. officials urged Israel to pause its military operations in Gaza to maximize the chances of implementing phase one—hostage release in exchange for a defined Israeli troop withdrawal.
The goal is a brief negotiation focused on the mechanics of releasing Israeli captives, identifying Palestinian detainees to be freed in return, and finalizing withdrawal routes.
An Israeli source stated, “The details are relatively simple. There’s no intention to drag this out. Israel will show flexibility on technical matters that may extend the release window slightly beyond 72 hours—provided all hostages return alive within that period.”
Israel’s hostage affairs director has informed families that, in light of Hamas’s response, Israel is preparing to implement the first phase of Trump’s plan for the immediate release of all captives.
On Saturday, the 729th day of Israel’s ongoing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza—and despite ongoing ceasefire discussions—civil defense teams described the situation in Gaza City as “a merciless, frenzied bombardment.”
