US President Donald Trump revealed on Saturday that negotiations for a ceasefire and captives' release in the Gaza Strip are nearing completion. In a statement to Axios, Trump said he expects the deal to be finalized "within days" and described his direct involvement in pushing all parties, most notably "Israel" and Hamas, toward an agreement.

"I said, 'Bibi, this is your chance for victory.' He was fine with it. He has to be," Trump stated, referencing his conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. "With me, you got to be fine."

"Israel's" genocidal war on Gaza, now nearing its two-year mark, may be heading toward a resolution, with Trump's remarks indicating the most significant diplomatic breakthrough in months.

Trump emphasized that his administration, through his envoys, has played a central role in mediating the current deal. White House officials confirmed that his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and envoy Steve Witkoff traveled to Egypt on Saturday to finalize terms surrounding the release of captives and to lay the groundwork for a sustainable ceasefire.

Behind-the-scenes diplomacy

In parallel to public messaging, Trump's team has been conducting quiet diplomacy with key regional actors. According to a US official cited by Axios, Trump personally spoke with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday, urging him to pressure Hamas into accepting the terms of the captive release.

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"Erdogan helped a lot. He is a tough guy, but he is a friend of mine and he was great," Trump told Axios. The US official quoted Trump as telling Erdogan, “I did a lot for you, and now I need you to do this.”

Meanwhile, Egyptian mediation remains pivotal. The Egyptian Foreign Ministry confirmed it will host indirect talks on Monday between Hamas and Israeli representatives to finalize a potential captive-prisoner exchange and ceasefire framework under Trump’s proposed plan.

Netanyahu pauses attacks

Following Trump's Friday appeal, Israeli occupation forces claimed they scaled down their operations in Gaza. The occupation military said it had transitioned to defensive positions and significantly reduced airstrikes, maintaining only what it called "force protection" operations.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered a pause in the operation to occupy Gaza City and a suspension of airstrikes to "prepare for the immediate implementation of the first phase of the Trump Plan for the immediate release of all hostages," according to his office.… pic.twitter.com/lJqCDz05cP

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) October 4, 2025

Prime Minister Netanyahu publicly confirmed the shift, announcing a temporary halt to major offensives. He explained the move was to "prepare for the immediate implementation of the first phase of the Trump Plan for the immediate release of all hostages."

On his Truth Social platform, Trump expressed support for this decision, calling it a necessary pause to allow negotiations to progress. However, he warned Hamas against delays. "Move quickly or the deal is off the table. I will not tolerate delay… Let’s get this done, FAST. Everyone will be treated fairly!"

The first phase

According to White House sources, the first phase of the agreement involves a reciprocal exchange, where Hamas would release the captives it holds, while "Israel" would free Palestinian prisoners and detainees. Negotiations in Cairo will focus on the timing, conditions, and logistics of this exchange.

Trump's envoys are expected to remain in Egypt through the talks. Netanyahu confirmed that his delegation, led by Ron Dermer, is en route to Cairo to participate in the negotiations.

Trump also framed the deal as a step toward repairing "Israel's" international image. "Bibi took it very far, and Israel lost a lot of support in the world. Now I'm going to get all that support back," he said.