Netanyahu confident he can announce hostage deal soon

But Israeli prime minister insists Hamas must be disarmed

- SAM MEDNICK SAMY MAGDY

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he plans to announce the release of all hostages from Gaza “in the coming days”, as indirect talks with Hamas continue in Egypt on a new US plan to end the war.

In a brief statement yesterday, Mr Netanyahu confirmed a delegation had been sent to Egypt “to finalise technical details”, aiming to “contain these negotiations to a time frame of a few days”.

However, he signalled there would be no full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, a key demand from Hamas. “Hamas will be disarmed and Gaza will be demilitarised - either the easy way or the hard way, but it will be achieved,” he added.

He added: “(Doubters) told me it’s too good to be true. It’s true. And with God’s help, it will happen very soon.”

The prime minister spoke after Hamas said it has accepted some elements of the US plan. President Donald Trump welcomed themilitant group's statement but yesterday warned that “Hamas must move quickly, or else all bets will be off.”

Mr Trump also ordered Israel to stop bombing Gaza. Some in Gaza City reported a notable easing of Israeli strikes yesterday, although hospital officials said at least 22 people were killed, including women and children. Israel's army said leaders instructed it to prepare for the US plan's first phase. Israel has moved to a defensive-only position in Gaza and will not actively strike, said an official who was not authorised to speak to the media on the record.

Still, an Israeli strike on Gaza City's Tuffah neighbourhood killed at least 17 and injured 25 others, said Al-Ahli hospital director Fadel Naim. "The strikes are still ongoing," Mr Naim said. Israel's military said it struck a Hamas member and "regrets any harm caused to uninvolved civilians".