Trump Says Gaza Hostages Will Be Freed ‘Very Soon’ Amid Peace Talks

President Donald Trump expressed confidence that the hostages held in Gaza will be freed very soon as indirect negotiations between Hamas and Israel are set to begin in Egypt. The talks follow Hamas’s agreement to key parts of Trump’s 20-point Gaza peace plan, which calls for the release of all hostages and the phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that Hamas has agreed “in principle” to the release framework for hostages taken during the October 7, 2023, attack. The proposal calls for hostages to be freed within 72 hours of an agreement, but notes logistical challenges remain amid ongoing conflict. Rubio emphasized that continued fighting must stop for the release to happen safely.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said no other part of the peace plan will move forward until all hostages, living and dead, are returned to Israeli territory. He also warned that if Hamas does not comply with the release timetable set by President Trump, Israel will resume its offensive against Gaza with support from international partners.

Hamas has agreed to release hostages and is said to be ready for a lasting peace, though final details on disarmament and Gaza governance are still being negotiated. The mediation talks starting Monday aim to finalize arrangements for the hostage release and broader ceasefire, holding hope for an end to the conflict that has claimed thousands of lives on both sides.