Hamas, Israel ceasefire talks enter crucial phase in Egypt
Trump-linked envoys join Cairo-led effort as sides remain divided over Israeli troop withdrawal
CAIRO, Egypt (MNTV) — Ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas entered a decisive round in Egypt’s Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh on Wednesday, with key international mediators present as hopes rose for a possible breakthrough.
Israel’s Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer arrived to lead the Israeli delegation, joining U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, former adviser and son-in-law of President Donald Trump.
Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Turkiye’s intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin, and Egypt’s spy chief Hassan Mahmoud Rashad have also joined the talks.
Hamas confirmed that it has exchanged lists of prisoners to be released under a potential agreement.
The Palestinian Prisoner’s Society says over 11,100 Palestinians are currently held in Israeli prisons — the highest number since the second Intifada of 2000–2005.
Analysts say the sides remain apart. Israel wants the return of its prisoners without any further commitment while Hamas demands Israel’s complete withdrawal from Gaza and a permanent truce.
Sami Al-Arian, professor at Istanbul Zaim University, told Al Jazeera that “four of the five conditions that the resistance previously demanded are being met in this Trump deal. The only unresolved issue is the withdrawal of Israeli troops.”
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has invited Trump to attend a signing ceremony if a deal is finalized, underscoring Cairo’s central role in mediating the most serious diplomatic effort since the war began two years ago.
A delegation of Hamas ally Palestinian Islamic Jihad has also reached the Egyptian city of Sharm el-Sheikh to participate in talks.
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