US Envoys Travel to Egypt as Trump Warns Hamas Against Delaying Gaza Peace Deal

Former US President Donald Trump has dispatched son-in-law Jared Kushner and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff to Egypt to finalize details of a hostage release and peace plan between Israel and Hamas.

A White House official confirmed the envoys’ trip, aimed at concluding arrangements for hostages and advancing the ceasefire proposal Trump has been pushing.

On his Truth Social account Saturday, Trump announced that Israel had agreed to an initial withdrawal line in Gaza and that the information had been conveyed to Hamas.

“When Hamas confirms, the Ceasefire will be IMMEDIATELY effective, the Hostages and Prisoner Exchange will begin, and we will create the conditions for the next phase of withdrawal,” Trump wrote, posting a map of the proposed line.

Hamas responded positively on Friday, expressing readiness to release hostages and negotiate terms to end two years of conflict.

Trump urged Israel to “immediately” halt bombings, though Israeli forces continued operations in Gaza on Saturday. Gaza’s civil defense agency reported at least 57 deaths from Israeli strikes since dawn, including 40 in Gaza City.

“Hamas must move quickly, or else all bets will be off. I will not tolerate delay, which many think will happen, or any outcome where Gaza poses a threat again,” Trump warned.

His plan includes a ceasefire, release of hostages within 72 hours, gradual Israeli withdrawal, and Hamas’s disarmament.

Speaking to Axios, Trump said the deal was “close,” adding that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had accepted his terms. “I said, ‘Bibi, this is your chance for victory.’ He was fine with it. He has no choice. With me, you got to be fine,” Trump said.

Trump also credited Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for persuading Hamas to cooperate: “Erdogan helped a lot. He is a tough guy, but he is a friend of mine and he was great.”