The most promising effort yet to end the war in Gaza was bolstered as senior figures from Israel and the United States joined the negotiations on Wednesday after Hamas handed over its lists of hostages and Palestinian prisoners to be freed in a swap.
With U.S. President Donald Trump's 20-point plan appearing closer than any previous bid to halt the war, delegations upgraded their presence at the indirect talks, launched on Monday in the Egyptian resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh.
Offering an upbeat assessment, Trump said a deal was "very close" and that he may travel to the Middle East this weekend, possibly leaving as soon as Saturday, if an agreement is reached.
"It's something I think that will happen, got a good chance of happening," he said at the start of a White House event, referring to the potential for a breakthrough, after he was briefed by his team in Egypt.
Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and special envoy Steve Witkoff and Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister
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