White House: Whitkoff and Kushner to Egypt to Discuss Release of Detainees in Gaza

SadaNews - A U.S. official reported that President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and his envoy to the Middle East, Steve Whitkoff, departed on Saturday to Egypt to discuss the release of detainees in Gaza, after Hamas agreed to the U.S. president's plan.

The official, who requested anonymity to speak to AFP, stated that Kushner and Whitkoff are visiting Egypt to finalize the details of the release process.

Trump called on Israel on Friday to "immediately halt bombarding Gaza" after Hamas announced in a statement their agreement to his plan. An Egyptian source confirmed that preparations are underway to begin discussions on creating the conditions for the exchange of Palestinian prisoners and Israeli detainees, as well as preparing for a comprehensive Palestinian dialogue to discuss the future of the Gaza Strip. It was announced by Israeli broadcasting authorities that Steve Whitkoff will arrive in the region in the coming days to participate in the negotiations.

Moreover, Egyptian sources denied reports from Israeli media stating that negotiations scheduled to take place in Egypt in the coming days to discuss the implementation of President Donald Trump's plan to end the war in Gaza would be held in Al-Arish in North Sinai.

This comes after Israeli media reported that arrangements are currently being made for talks planned for tomorrow, Sunday, likely in Al-Arish, confirming that discussions will be at the highest levels, with Americans expecting the negotiations to succeed and the first phase of the deal to commence.

It was reported that the negotiations will involve Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Whitkoff, alongside possibly President Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner.

Israeli media confirmed that negotiations would last for days, not weeks, and would discuss the subsequent stages of the agreement, adding that the first phase of the negotiations will focus on the mechanism for the release of prisoners.