Hostage families to meet Trump officials this week in Washington, official tells ToI

The families of some of the Israeli hostages still held in Gaza will be meeting with senior Trump administration officials in Washington this week, a White House official tells The Times of Israel.

The meetings will come amid an ongoing impasse in the negotiations between Israel and Hamas on a ceasefire and hostage release deal.

Hamas said Monday that it is prepared to immediately enter indirect talks in order to bridge remaining gaps, in an apparent softening of its position after the updated proposal it submitted to the US on Sunday was blasted by Trump envoy Steve Witkoff, who said it took the sides backward.

The main issue of contention remains whether the temporary truce under discussion leaves enough of a window for Israel to resume fighting after it expires or if the proposal’s assurances from the Trump administration are enough to convince Hamas that the ceasefire will hold permanently.