Sharm el-Sheikh (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Hamas announced on Wednesday that it had provided a list of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners to be released as part of a swap deal. They also expressed optimism about discussions in Egypt regarding U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal to end the conflict in Gaza.
Discussions are presently being conducted in Egypt about a cease-fire proposal for Gaza, which Trump proposed in twenty points. Delegations of Hamas, Israel, and mediators from the United States, Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey began the negotiations on October 6, 2025.
What progress has been made in the Sharm el-Sheikh talks?
Hamas stated that negotiations concentrate on stopping the conflict, Israel’s forces withdrawing
from Gaza, and the swap agreement. A Palestinian source close to the negotiations stated that no agreement has been reached on the timing of the first phase of the 20-point initiative during discussions, Reuters reported.
Trump showed optimism about making progress on a deal on Tuesday, marking the second anniversary of Hamas’s attack on Israel that led to Israel’s assault on Gaza.
What are the main terms of Trump’s Gaza proposal?
Trump’s Gaza ceasefire proposal envisions a comprehensive and immediate cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hamas, with a focus on returning hostages and rebuilding Gaza. The plan involves Israel redeploying its forces to agreed lines while all military actions are halted, including airstrikes and artillery fire.
How are mediators from the US, Israel, Qatar, and Turkey contributing?
As reported, a U.S. team, including special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner—Trump’s son-in-law and Middle East envoy during his first term—will participate in the talks.
Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, a close confidant of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was scheduled to participate in the talks, according to an Israeli official.
According to sources familiar with the matter, Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, a key mediator, and Turkish spymaster Ibrahim Kalin will participate in the ceasefire negotiations.
What challenges remain before a ceasefire agreement is reached?
Hamas seeks a lasting, all-encompassing ceasefire, the total withdrawal of Israeli forces, and the immediate initiation of a widespread reconstruction effort overseen by a Palestinian “national technocratic body.”
Israel, on its part, desires Hamas to surrender its weapons, but the group refuses. US officials indicate they want to first concentrate negotiations on stopping the fighting and figuring out how to release the Israeli hostages in Gaza and Palestinian detainees in Israel.
