A new round of Gaza cease-fire negotiations entered its third day on Oct. 8, with representatives from Israel, the United States, Qatar, and Turkey joining the talks. US President Donald Trump stated earlier that day that he might travel to the Middle East this weekend, citing that the negotiations were "very close" to reaching an agreement.
Trump Claims Initial Agreement Signed
In a statement on a social media platform on Oct. 8, Trump announced that Israel and the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) had both signed the first phase of the Gaza peace plan.
"This means all detained individuals will be released soon, and Israel will withdraw its troops to mutually agreed lines," Trump said, calling it "the first step towards a strong, lasting, and eternal peace."
Multi-party Joins Indirect Negotiations
The talks on Oct. 8 saw the participation of the Director of the Egyptian General Intelligence Service, the Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Director of the Turkish National Intelligence Organization, the US Special Envoy for Middle East Issues, and Trump's son-in-law.
The negotiations are conducted indirectly, mediated by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States. According to Egypt's Cairo News TV, bilateral, multilateral, and enlarged meetings were held that day, although Hamas did not attend the enlarged meeting.
Trump, speaking at a roundtable at the White House, told the media that the negotiations were going very well and there was a "very good chance" of a deal. He suggested he might depart for the Middle East on Oct. 11 or 12.
Palestinian sources said that representatives from Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) were scheduled to arrive in Egypt on the evening of Oct. 8. They were expected to join the Hamas delegation in the talks, which could potentially aid in resolving the issue of Israeli detainees in Gaza.
Both PIJ and PFLP have been involved in confrontations with Israel since the latest round of Israeli-Palestinian conflict erupted in October 2023. PIJ has claimed it is also holding some Israeli individuals but provided no further details.
Israeli media reported that Hamas and other Palestinian factions are currently holding 48 Israelis, with Israeli authorities believing 20 of them are still alive.
Hamas Confirms Cease-fire Agreement Reached
In the early hours of Oct. 9 local time, Hamas issued a statement announcing that an agreement had been reached to end the Gaza war, ensure Israeli troop withdrawal, and achieve a prisoner exchange involving Israeli detainees and Palestinian prisoners. Hamas called on US President Trump and the guarantor countries to ensure Israel's implementation of the Gaza cease-fire agreement.
The statement emphasized always adhering to our commitments. We will not abandon our people's national rights until freedom, independence, and self-determination are achieved.
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