A significant step towards ending the conflict in Gaza was taken as key representatives from Israel and the United States engaged in negotiations following Hamas’ submission of lists detailing hostages and Palestinian prisoners for a potential exchange. The talks, initiated in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, on Monday, have gained momentum with the advancement of U.S. President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan, raising hopes for a resolution.
President Trump expressed optimism, stating that a deal was on the verge of realization. He hinted at a possible visit to the Middle East this weekend if an agreement is reached, emphasizing the progress made during discussions in Egypt.
Joining the negotiations were notable figures such as Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff from the U.S., Ron Dermer from Israel, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani from Qatar. The increased involvement of these key players signifies a concerted effort to reach a breakthrough in the conflict.
Rubio Takes Cautious Stance
While President Trump remained positive about the ongoing negotiations, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio offered a more circumspect view, acknowledging the progress while highlighting the need for further work to be done.
Despite initial caution, Rubio’s note to Trump at the White House event suggested positive developments, leading Trump to affirm the closeness of a potential deal in the region.
Concurrently, discussions in Paris involving Arab and other states are set to take place to address the post-war transition in Gaza, with potential representation from Washington. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan expressed optimism about the negotiations’ progress and the likelihood of a ceasefire if positive outcomes are achieved.
However, critical details, including the timeline, Gaza’s administration post-conflict, and the status of Hamas, remain unresolved.
Hamas has conveyed its optimism about the negotiations, focusing on key issues such as ceasefire, Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and the exchange agreement.
Hamas has handed over lists of its hostages and Palestinian prisoners it wants exchanged in a swap, and the militant group said it was optimistic about negotiations to end the war in Gaza.
The list of Palestinian prisoners Hamas seeks to release reportedly includes high-profile individuals such as Marwan al-Barghouti and Ahmed Saadat, both serving life sentences for attacks against Israelis.
Further discussions are needed to address unresolved matters, including Hamas’ disarmament, which remains a contentious issue as long as Israeli troops occupy Palestinian territory.
Sticking points in the negotiations involve the mechanism for Israeli withdrawal, with Hamas pushing for a clear timeline linked to the release of hostages and assurances of a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
Israel’s Ongoing Actions