London: A senior Hamas leader has confirmed plans to release Israeli hostages from Monday morning (Israel time) to meet a crucial deadline in the Gaza ceasefire, ahead of a ceremony in Egypt to mark a peace deal that could end the war.

The move comes as US President Donald Trump prepares to fly to Egypt for the peace ceremony on Monday, along with as many as 20 other national leaders, in a sign of international support for enforcing the terms of the agreement.

Flanked by Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump, US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff speaks at a rally supporting the hostages in Tel Aviv on Saturday. Credit: AP

But top Hamas officials are seeking to assert their control over key parts of Gaza as the Israel Defence Forces withdraw from the devastated war zone, wit

See Full Page