Egypt is preparing to host a broad Palestinian conference aimed at discussing the future of the Gaza Strip in the post-war phase, as diplomatic efforts intensify to reach a comprehensive agreement encompassing a ceasefire and a prisoner exchange deal. The move comes amid heightened U.S. pressure and growing regional engagement to end nearly a year of conflict.
An informed Egyptian source told Al-Qahera News that Cairo has begun preparations for the conference, which will address conditions for a potential prisoner swap between Palestinians and Israelis, as well as frameworks for Gaza’s governance after the war. The source noted that a date for the meeting has yet to be determined.
A Hamas official confirmed the group’s openness to “any comprehensive national dialogue that ensures Palestinian unity in the coming phase,” signalling potential flexibility in engaging with Egypt’s initiative.
The Egyptian move follows Hamas’ announcement last week that it had agreed in principle to release all Israeli captives—alive or deceased—under a US plan unveiled on 29 September. The proposal calls for a ceasefire and the release of Israeli hostages within 72 hours of Israel’s approval, in exchange for Hamas disarming.
Hamas also stated that it is prepared to hand over Gaza’s administration to a technocratic government formed by national consensus and supported by Arab and Islamic countries. However, the group stressed that decisions concerning Gaza’s future and the Palestinian cause must be made “within a unified Palestinian framework.”
Israeli intelligence estimates that 48 Israeli captives remain in Gaza, including around 20 believed to be alive. On the other hand, Israel is holding roughly 11,100 Palestinians in its prisons, with human rights organisations reporting widespread mistreatment, including torture, medical neglect, and poor detention conditions.
Egypt—alongside Qatar—has served as a key mediator between Hamas and Israel since the war broke out on 7 October 2023. Cairo’s current focus is to bring together the main Palestinian factions and forge a shared vision for post-war governance to prevent any political or security vacuum that could destabilise the region.
Diplomatic sources say the United States and several European countries are pressing for the creation of a broader Palestinian governing body to oversee reconstruction efforts with Arab and international support. Israel, however, insists that any future arrangement must guarantee the complete disarmament of Hamas.
US President Donald Trump reiterated Washington’s stance on the need for swift progress toward a prisoner exchange and ceasefire deal. “I will not tolerate any delays,” Trump said. “I appreciate Israel pausing its bombardment to allow the release of hostages and the peace agreement to proceed, but Hamas must move swiftly, or all options will be on the table.”
According to The Wall Street Journal, citing US and Arab officials, Trump plans to dispatch his Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, accompanied by his former advisor Jared Kushner, to the region this week to advance negotiations. Israel’s Channel 12 reported that Witkoff is expected to travel to Egypt to participate in a new round of indirect talks between Hamas and Israel.
Despite these diplomatic moves, Israeli bombardments of Gaza continue unabated. The Palestinian Civil Defense reported dozens of overnight airstrikes across Gaza City and other areas, destroying more than 20 residential buildings. The Gaza Health Ministry said 66 people were killed and 265 injured in the past 24 hours, raising the total death toll since the war began to 67,074, with 169,430 wounded. Since hostilities resumed on 18 March 2025, 13,486 Palestinians have been killed and 57,389 injured.
On the ground, Hamas’ military wing, the Qassam Brigades, said its fighters targeted an Israeli bulldozer with a Yassin 105 anti-tank shell and shelled Israeli troops advancing in the Tel al-Hawa area. The Al-Quds Brigades, the armed wing of Islamic Jihad, also announced it had shelled Israeli positions on Al-Muntar Hill, east of Gaza City’s Shuja’iyya neighbourhood.
Meanwhile, Turkey’s Foreign Ministry said that 36 Turkish nationals who took part in the “Freedom Flotilla”—intercepted by Israeli forces earlier this week—are expected to return home on a special flight later on Saturday, with arrangements underway for the repatriation of other foreign participants.
While Israel’s Maariv newspaper reported that the Israeli army has halted its ground advance and shifted to “defensive operations” to protect its troops, ongoing airstrikes suggest that a lasting ceasefire remains distant.
As Egypt intensifies coordination with the United States and regional partners, diplomatic sources in Cairo said the coming days could prove decisive in shaping Gaza’s political landscape and the broader Palestinian reconciliation process after nearly a year of devastating war.
