Significant advancements have been made in negotiations between Israel and Hamas, primarily focusing on ending the conflict and organizing Israel’s military withdrawal from the area.
In Gaza, Israel has reduced its military operations at the request of US President Donald Trump, although some strikes are still ongoing.
Officials remain optimistic that the peace talks in Egypt could result in a ceasefire if both parties agree on certain conditions, including a potential exchange of hostages and prisoners.
Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, and special envoy Steve Witkoff have arrived to participate in the talks, engaging with key figures such as Israeli strategic affairs minister Ron Dermer, who is closely allied with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The discussions also include Qatar’s prime minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, as reported by Egyptian sources.
Offering an upbeat assessment, Trump said a deal was “very close” and that he may travel to the Middle East this weekend, possibly leaving as soon as Saturday, if an agreement is reached.
Trump expressed optimism about the potential for a breakthrough, saying, “It’s something I think that will happen, got a good chance of happening,” during a White House event following his team’s briefing from Egypt.
Talks have made ‘a lot of headway’
Turkish foreign minister Hakan Fidan said the mediated negotiations between Israel and Hamas had made “a lot of headway” and that a ceasefire would be declared if they reached a positive outcome.
But crucial details are yet to be spelled out, including the timing, a post-war administration for the Gaza Strip, and the future of Hamas.
Gaza authorities say more than 67,000 people have been killed and much of the enclave has been flattened since Israel began its military response to the Hamas attack two years ago.
Around 1,200 people were killed and 251 were taken hostage back to Gaza, according to Israeli officials, with 20 of the 48 hostages still held believed to be alive.
Hamas said it had handed over its lists of hostages and Palestinian prisoners to be exchanged in a swap, and was optimistic about the talks so far.
The list of Palestinians Hamas wants freed is expected to include some of the most prominent prisoners ever jailed by Israel, whose release had been off limits in previous ceasefires.
According to a Palestinian source close to the talks, the list includes Marwan al-Barghouti, a leader of the Fatah movement, and Ahmed Saadat, head of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. Both are serving multiple life sentences for involvement in attacks that killed Israelis.
The group has not agreed to discuss Israel’s condition for Hamas to disarm, a point that the Palestinian side stated Hamas would not accept as long as Israeli troops remain on Palestinian territory.
Two sources familiar with the talks confirmed that sticking points included the mechanism for the Israeli withdrawal, with Hamas seeking a clear timeline linked to the release of hostages and guarantees of a complete withdrawal by Israeli forces.
Meanwhile, Israel’s campaign in Gaza has scaled back.
Israeli military said its forces had killed several militants in Gaza City, Gaza’s main urban hub, who it said were on their way to attack Israeli soldiers.
Gaza medical authorities reported eight people killed in Israeli strikes in the last 24 hours, the lowest toll for weeks. Daily death tolls had been around 10 times as high over the past month as Israeli forces advance on Gaza City.
— With additional reporting from Reuters.
