Egyptian President Abdel Fatah El Sisi also said Wednesday that the messages he had received out of the talks in Sharm el-Sheikh were "very encouraging."

Israel and Hamas have agreed to the “first phase” of his plan to pause fighting and release at least some hostages and prisoners, U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday.

The announcement comes days after President Trump presented a 20-point peace plan aimed at ending the war in Gaza.

President Trump said Israel would pull back troops in the first phase of the agreement, raising hopes that the two-year war in Gaza may be nearer to an end.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi has invited President Donald Trump to attend the signing of a potential Gaza peace agreement once it is reached, a move that may signal progress in ongoing negotiations.

Six South African activists who were detained by Israel while attempting to reach Gaza as part of an aid flotilla claim that they were subjected to harsher treatment than others.

Three women from Newfoundland are believed to be among those detained by Israeli forces on Wednesday, part of a flotilla that had sailed toward Gaza in an attempt to break Israel's naval blockade and deliver aid to the region.

Meanwhile indirect talks between Israel and Hamas aimed at securing a deal to end the war in Gaza are continuing in Egypt.