GAZA STRIP: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Sunday (Oct 5) that the war in Gaza has not yet ended, despite both Israel and Hamas agreeing to key parts of President Donald Trump's proposal for the enclave, as Gazans called for the plan to be implemented quickly to end their suffering."We will know very quickly whether Hamas is serious or not by how these technical talks go in terms of the logistics," Rubio told NBC News' Meet the Press, referring to discussions over the release of hostages.Hamas drew a welcoming response from Trump on Friday after saying it accepted key parts of his 20-point proposal, including ending the war, Israel's withdrawal, and the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners.NEGOTIATORS HEAD TO EGYPTThe group, however, left some issues open for negotiation at talks in Egypt, including whether it would be willing to disarm, a central Israeli demand.Israeli negotiators led by Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer will travel to Egypt on Monday for talks on the release of hostages, a day before the war’s second anniversary, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said. The talks will take place in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh.A Hamas delegation led by Gaza’s exiled chief Khalil al-Hayya was also expected to land in Egypt later on Sunday, alongside representatives from the United States and Qatar, to discuss implementation of what mediators call the most advanced peace effort yet.White House envoy Steve Witkoff arrives before a news conference with President Donald Trump and Russia's President Vladimir Putin at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. (Photo: AP/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)AVOIDING A PHASED APPROACHAn official briefed on the negotiations said discussions would focus on securing a comprehensive deal before any ceasefire takes effect."This differs from earlier rounds of negotiations which followed a phased approach," the official said. "There is a conscious effort among mediators to avoid that this time."Rubio told ABC’s This Week that talks "cannot take weeks or even multiple days," adding: "We want to see this happen very fast."STRIKES CONTINUE DESPITE PEACE TALKSDespite Trump’s call for an immediate halt to bombardments, Israeli airstrikes and tank fire continued across Gaza on Sunday, killing at least 19 people, according to local health authorities.Four were killed while seeking aid in southern Gaza and five died in an airstrike on Gaza City earlier in the day, officials said."Is he a member of the resistance? Is he a fighter? All the targets of the Israeli army are children," said Shadi Mansour, whose six-year-old son Ameer was killed in a strike on Gaza City’s Tuffah suburb.Ahmed Assad, a displaced man in central Gaza, said he had been hopeful when Trump announced his plan but said nothing had changed: "We do not see any change to the situation. Shall we remain in the streets? Shall we leave?"Israel says no ceasefire in Gaza, only temporary halt in some bombingsIsrael strikes Gaza as Palestinians pin hopes on Trump's peace plan23 Malaysians on Gaza aid flotilla detained by Israel released; set to return home by Oct 6ISRAELI MARKETS SIGNAL HOPEIn Israel, the shekel hit a three-year high against the dollar and the Tel Aviv stock exchange reached record levels, signs of optimism that a deal could end the war."It’s the first time in months that I’m actually hopeful. Trump has really instilled a lot of hope into us," said Tel Aviv resident Gil Shelly.Netanyahu remains under pressure from hostage families and a war-weary public to end the fighting, while far-right ministers including Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir have threatened to collapse the coalition if Israel stops its campaign.Opposition leader Yair Lapid said his centrist Yesh Atid party would back the Trump initiative to ensure "we won’t let them torpedo the deal."RETURN OF HOSTAGESUnder Trump’s plan, all Israeli hostages, both living and deceased, would be released. Israel says 48 hostages remain in Gaza, 20 of them alive.Trump said on Friday he believed Hamas had shown it was "ready for a lasting peace" and called on Israel to halt airstrikes.Israel launched its military campaign after the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack that killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and saw 251 taken hostage.Israel’s response has killed more than 67,000 people in Gaza, most of them civilians, according to Gaza health authorities, deepening its international isolation.Sign up for our newslettersGet our pick of top stories and thought-provoking articles in your inboxSubscribe hereGet the CNA appStay updated with notifications for breaking news and our best storiesDownload hereGet WhatsApp alertsJoin our channel for the top reads for the day on your preferred chat appJoin here