Trump expects first phase of Gaza deal to be completed this week

Former U.S. President Donald Trump said he expects the first phase of an agreement to end the war in the Gaza Strip to be completed this week, warning of “bloodshed” and urging all parties to “move quickly”.

Trump said on his platform Truth Social that he had been told this after “very positive talks” held over the weekend with Hamas and countries around the world, including Arab and Muslim states and others. He said those discussions, which focus on securing the release of hostages, ending the war and achieving “peace finally in the Middle East”, are progressing “rapidly”.

Technical teams meet and envoys on the way

Trump said technical teams will meet today in the Egyptian city of Sharm el-Sheikh to finalise and clarify the details of the agreement.

To follow up on the negotiations, Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law and adviser Jared Kushner are due to arrive in Egypt later this week, likely on Wednesday. They will shortly be joined by Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer.

The talks are being held with the main mediators Egypt and Qatar. Meanwhile, a Hamas negotiating delegation led by the movement’s head and chief negotiator Khalil al-Hayya arrived in Egypt last night to take part in the current round of talks.