US-led peace talks resume in Egypt as hopes rise for Gaza ceasefire deal

Indirect talks aimed at reaching a final agreement on a US peace plan to end the war in Gaza are set to continue this week in the Egyptian city of Sharm El-Sheikh.

BBC News reports that the sessions are focused on "creating the field conditions" for a possible exchange that would see the release of all Israeli hostages in return for a number of Palestinian prisoners.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday that he hoped to announce the release of hostages "in the coming days".

As the officials met yesterday, US President Donald Trump told reporters at the White House they have a “really good chance” of making a deal, and “it will be a lasting deal”.

Hamas has said it agrees to the peace plan proposals in part, but has not responded to several key demands - including its disarmament and not having any future role in the governance of Gaza. In the last 24 hours, 21 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza and a further 96 injured, the Hamas-run health ministry said in its latest update.

[Source: BBC]