FLASH
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US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that the United States and international mediators are "very close" to reaching a ceasefire and peace agreement in Gaza, adding that he aims to finalize it "within a few days."
In an interview with Axios, Trump revealed that he had had a long phone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during which he had urged him to accept the American plan to end the war.
"I said, 'Bibi, this is your chance to win.' He agreed. I also told him there's no other choice. You have to be good to me," Trump confessed.
His statement comes after several days of intense diplomacy, which has brought Israel and Hamas closer than ever to ending the war that began on October 7, 2023, following Hamas' surprise attacks on Israeli territory.
According to Axios' sources, White House special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, are headed to Egypt, where meetings will be held in Sharm el-Sheikh to finalize the technical details of the hostage release and negotiate elements of a lasting peace agreement.
Israel Defense Forces (IDF) officials confirmed that as of Saturday morning, Israeli forces have shifted to defensive operations in Gaza, ceasing airstrikes except for those “necessary for defense.” The development came after Trump’s public call on Friday for Israel to halt the offensive and enter the negotiation phase with Hamas.
In a statement from his office, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that he had ordered a halt to the offensive to "prepare for the immediate implementation of the first phase of the Trump Plan," which includes the immediate release of all hostages and a cessation of fighting.
Meanwhile, the Egyptian government confirmed that indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas on the implementation of the agreement will begin on Monday in Sharm el-Sheikh, under the supervision of US and United Nations representatives.
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