Delegations from Hamas, Israel, and the United States are gathering in Egypt for high-stakes talks aimed at securing a ceasefire in Gaza, a hostage-prisoner exchange, and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the war-ravaged enclave.
The negotiations, set to take place in the Red Sea resort town of Sharm El-Sheikh, coincide with the second anniversary of Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel, which triggered nearly two years of devastating conflict in Gaza.
Hamas confirmed that its delegation, led by senior negotiator Khalil al-Hayya, had arrived in Egypt “to begin negotiations on mechanisms for a ceasefire, the withdrawal of occupation forces, and a prisoner exchange.” A senior Hamas official told AFP that the group was “very keen to reach an agreement to end the war and immediately begin the prisoner exchange process in accordance with the field conditions.”
On the Israeli side, a delegation led by Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer departed for Cairo late Wednesday, according to Israeli media reports. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, however, faces growing political pressure at home as he tries to keep his right-wing coalition intact. The Times of Israel reported that Netanyahu has been working to persuade hardline allies to support US President Donald Trump’s ambitious 20-point peace plan, warning that the government could collapse if they defect.
Netanyahu has voiced cautious optimism, saying he hopes that a deal could secure the release of Israeli hostages “within days,” though officials remain wary of overpromising on the pace and details of any agreement.
The United States is playing a central role in pushing the process forward. President Trump urged negotiators to “move fast,” praising what he described as “very positive discussions” with Hamas and with Arab and Muslim states over the weekend. He said technical teams would reconvene in Egypt to “work through and clarify the final details,” adding that “the first phase should be completed this week.”
Trump presented the talks as a “historic opportunity” to end the Gaza war and pave the way toward long-sought peace in the Middle East.
The Sharm El-Sheikh negotiations mark one of the most serious diplomatic efforts since the conflict began. With tens of thousands killed and Gaza facing famine, international pressure has mounted on both Israel and Hamas to halt the fighting.
While the outcome is uncertain, the simultaneous presence of Hamas, Israeli, and US delegations in Egypt reflects a pivotal moment in the search for a ceasefire. Yet deep mistrust and political divisions on both sides continue to threaten the fragile momentum.
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