Israeli Channel 12 reported on Wednesday that US President Donald Trump may arrive in Egypt on Friday with the announcement of the Gaza deal. Meanwhile, Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper indicated preparations in Israel for a possible Trump visit if an agreement on Gaza is reached. The White House told Al Arabiya that it cannot currently confirm Trump’s visit to the Middle East.

This comes as Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi invited US President Donald Trump to attend the signing of the Gaza agreement—if reached—during negotiations in Sharm El-Sheikh.

The Egyptian president urged his American counterpart to continue applying pressure to end the war.

El-Sisi said he hears very encouraging things from the ongoing talks in Sharm El-Sheikh to end the war, noting that Cairo is making continuous efforts in this regard.

An Israeli official told Al Hadath that the Sharm El-Sheikh negotiations are cautiously approaching the completion of the first phase of the Gaza agreement, confirming efforts to modify the withdrawal map in the first phase of the deal.

The Israeli official said President Trump is exerting significant pressure to finalize the agreement, adding that the Arab position carries unprecedented weight in any Gaza deal.

According to Palestinian sources, the next 48 hours will be critical in determining the fate of the negotiations amid intense American pressure to reach a preliminary agreement including a ceasefire and prisoner exchange.

Meanwhile, Netanyahu’s office announced Wednesday evening the start of drafting the decision to launch the first phase of the Gaza agreement related to prisoner exchange.

Channel 14 revealed that “Israel will sign the first phase of the Gaza deal within two days,” noting that the issue of disarming Hamas and the Gaza Strip will be discussed later.

Channel 12 also quoted a non-Israeli source familiar with the negotiations saying, “Qatari mediators believe an agreement can be reached by Friday.”

The source indicated the goal is to announce the agreement this week and begin releasing prisoners next week.

Israel Hayom cited an Israeli official saying, “We will not release Marwan Barghouti and may announce the agreement tonight or tomorrow.”

Meanwhile, Hamas stated that mediators are making intensive efforts to remove obstacles to implementing the ceasefire agreement amid a positive atmosphere prevailing in the talks.