Indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas are set to commence in Egypt, raising hopes for a potential resolution to the Gaza conflict based on former President Donald Trump’s comprehensive 20-point ceasefire proposal.
On Sunday, Hamas announced that its delegation, led by Khalil al-Hayya, had arrived in Sharm el-Sheikh and would initiate talks on Monday focusing on ceasefire procedures, the withdrawal of Israeli forces, and a prisoner exchange agreement.
The Israeli side, headed by chief negotiator Ron Dermer, is scheduled to depart for the discussions on Monday, according to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office. Optimism for a ceasefire has increased following Netanyahu’s recent statement expressing hope that an agreement to free all remaining hostages could be finalized within the week.
President Trump commented on the progress of the negotiations, describing them as moving swiftly. “The discussions have been very productive and are advancing rapidly. Technical teams will reconvene Monday in Egypt to finalize the remaining details,” he shared on social media. “I have been informed that the initial phase should conclude this week, and I urge all parties to expedite the process.”
Despite Trump’s appeal for Israel to halt its military operations in Gaza, Israeli forces have persisted with their airstrikes. Reports from Al Jazeera Arabic indicate that at least 24 Palestinians lost their lives on Sunday, including four asylum seekers shot near a humanitarian aid center north of Rafah, as confirmed by the Nasser Medical Complex.
Al Jazeera correspondent Hani Mahmoud, reporting from az-Zuwayda in central Gaza, noted that hostilities continue unabated both in areas where displaced residents have sought refuge and in Gaza City, the focal point of recent Israeli ground and aerial assaults.
“The people hoped for a peaceful night, but that hope was shattered,” Mahmoud remarked.
According to Gaza’s Government Media Office, over 2,700 families-amounting to more than 8,500 individuals-have been erased from the civil registry amid two years of conflict. The toll includes at least 1,015 infants under one year old, 1,670 healthcare workers, 254 journalists, and 140 civil defense personnel.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized on Sunday that the Gaza war remains unresolved, despite nearing the closest point to securing the release of all hostages.
Rubio called on Israel to cease its bombardment of Gaza ahead of the Egyptian talks, stating, “Hostage releases cannot occur amid ongoing strikes; therefore, the attacks must stop. It is impossible to conduct a war simultaneously.”
Under Trump’s ceasefire framework, Hamas would free the remaining captives, while Israel would retract its forces to the “yellow line” position held in August.
However, despite the agreement’s clear stipulation for Israeli withdrawal, Defense Minister Israel Katz was quoted by Israeli media asserting that Israel would maintain control over parts of Gaza. “Hamas will be disarmed, the Gaza Strip will be demilitarized, and the Israeli military will continue to secure key areas to protect local communities,” Katz stated.
Arab Nations Endorse Hamas in Peace Talks
Foreign ministers from Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates released a joint declaration on Sunday, expressing support for Hamas’s acceptance of Trump’s Gaza plan, including the release of all Israeli prisoners and the prompt start of negotiations on implementation.
“The ministers also welcomed President Trump’s call for Israel to immediately halt its bombing campaign and begin executing the prisoner exchange agreement, appreciating his dedication to fostering regional peace,” the statement read.
They further commended Hamas for its willingness to transfer Gaza’s administration to a transitional Palestinian Administrative Committee composed of independent technocrats.
Senior Hamas political bureau member Izzat al-Risheq described the statement as a significant endorsement of efforts to end the conflict. He highlighted the “clear support for the Palestinian stance in negotiations, which enhances the prospects for a durable ceasefire.”
“We anticipate continued backing from Arab and Islamic nations to halt the aggression and atrocities inflicted upon our people in Gaza, ultimately ending the occupation and fulfilling our Palestinian aspirations for an independent state with Jerusalem as its capital,” al-Risheq added.
The White House confirmed that Trump has dispatched two envoys to Egypt: his son-in-law Jared Kushner and chief Middle East negotiator Steve Witkoff.
Trump has informed Hamas that agreeing to Israel’s initial military withdrawal line in Gaza would trigger an immediate ceasefire.
These discussions follow Hamas’s agreement to release Israeli captives and accept several terms outlined in Trump’s Gaza plan, though contentious issues remain, particularly regarding Israel’s troop withdrawal and Hamas’s disarmament.
When questioned about potential flexibility in his 20-point Gaza proposal, Trump indicated that while broad consensus exists, minor adjustments could still be made. “We don’t require flexibility because most parties have largely agreed, but some modifications are always possible,” he remarked on Sunday.
