Israeli officials say there is currently no formal ceasefire in Gaza, despite a temporary pause in some airstrikes, as negotiations move forward on a U.S.-brokered deal to free hostages held by Hamas.
Government spokesperson Shosh Bedrosian confirmed on Sunday (October 5) that a delegation of Israeli negotiators will travel to Cairo tonight to begin the technical phase of discussions with Egyptian mediators. The talks will focus on finalising the first stage of the agreement — the simultaneous release of 48 Israeli hostages.
“This development comes with talks that will be taking place in Egypt, as the Prime Minister instructed the team, led by Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, to finalise the technical details of the release of the hostages — a priority and first step of this deal,” Bedrosian said. She added that Israel’s government had agreed to the first phase of the U.S.-backed plan, and that Hamas must now act on its commitment to release the captives.
Bedrosian stressed that the meetings in Cairo are strictly technical, focused on logistics and sequencing rather than broader political terms. “The team will be leaving tonight, with plans for talks to begin tomorrow,” she said.
On the ground, she clarified that while some airstrikes had ceased, the Israeli military retained authority to respond if threatened. “There’s no ceasefire in place at this point in time,” Bedrosian told reporters. “The Prime Minister has given orders for defence forces to fire back for defensive purposes, of course, if there is a threat to their life in the battlefield in Gaza.”
The upcoming talks in Egypt mark the most advanced stage yet in efforts to implement President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace proposal, which envisions a phased ceasefire, the release of hostages and prisoners, and eventual international oversight of Gaza’s governance.
Negotiators from Israel, Egypt, and the United States are expected to attend Monday’s meeting in Cairo, as momentum builds toward what could become the most significant breakthrough since the conflict began nearly two years ago.
Saudi Arabia said its air defences destroyed a Houthi drone south of Mecca before it could enter prohibited airspace over the holy city, as attacks...
China has officially opened the Pinglu Canal, a $10.75 billion waterway giving the country's landlocked southwest a shorter, direct route to th...
Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev held high-level talks in Seoul aimed at expanding South Korean investment, industrial cooperation and partnershi...
U.S. Central Command said 101 commercial vessels have been redirected in the Strait of Hormuz, while oil prices rose more than three per cent amid fresh regional attacks and supply concerns.
U.S. President Donald Trump has again said Iran is keen to reach a deal quickly, but a senior Iranian security official rejected the claim, saying Tehran will not negotiate until its conditions are met.
A Danish military helicopter came within “metres” of being struck by flares fired by a Russian warship, Denmark's Defence Minister Jeppe Bruus said on Tuesday. Russia accused Denmark of carrying out “dangerous manoeuvres” near its ship, and said it was investigating the incident.
Saudi Arabia said its air defences destroyed a Houthi drone south of Mecca before it could enter prohibited airspace over the holy city, as attacks by the Iran-aligned group deepen regional tensions.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is outlining the EU's priorities in her annual State of the Union address, covering security, support for Ukraine, trade with China, migration, climate and artificial intelligence.
Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev held high-level talks in Seoul aimed at expanding South Korean investment, industrial cooperation and partnerships in technology, finance and infrastructure.
From new Asia-Europe trade routes to investment, energy and security cooperation, the Organization of Turkic States has grown far beyond its original focus on shared language and culture.
Central Asia and South Korea are targeting annual trade of $20 billion by 2030, almost double last year’s record of more than $10 billion, following a proposal at their first leaders’ summit in Seoul.
Representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited in Azerbaijan have concluded a two-day visit to Garabagh and Eastern Zangezur, touring key cultural, educational, economic and infrastructure sites in the region.
A skyscraper, a six-tower district, and a launch event timed to coincide with Georgian Dream's long campaign for warmer ties with the Trump administration — even as Washington has kept its distance.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment