Progress of the Gaza Ceasefire Talks
EGYPT – Indirect Gaza ceasefire talks between Hamas and Israel began on Monday in Egypt’s Red Sea city of Sharm el-Sheikh in preparation for a halt in Gaza war and a prisoner exchange deal.
The two teams resumed their negotiations for a second day on Tuesday, with the talks being part of Egypt’s efforts to implement US President Donald Trump’s Gaza ceasefire plan.
Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed Al-Ansari confirmed the resumption of the talks, saying that many details in US President Donald Trump’s Gaza plan need discussion and negotiation between the two sides.
Speaking at a press conference in Doha, Ansari said that Hamas and Israeli negotiators held talks for four hours on the first day of talks on Monday to remove obstacles to a ceasefire in Gaza.
“Israel should have stopped attacks under Trump’s plan, but what we see on the ground contradicts that,” he said.
The spokesman expressed Qatar’s appreciation for US efforts, and reaffirmed commitment to further work on Trump’s plan to end the Israeli war in Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid to the besieged enclave.
“The US position is clear,” Ansari said. “There is a link between the ceasefire and release of the (Israeli) hostages.”
Ansari said discussions are ongoing with the US to reach a consensus on a mechanism to ensure a permanent implementation of Trump’s plan.
He said a practical and quickly implemented plan agreed upon by all parties will guarantee a long-lasting ceasefire in Gaza.
Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, meanwhile, said that a US delegation will participate in the negotiations on Wednesday.
Previously in Gaza Ceasefire Talks
“Mediators from Egypt and Qatar are making major efforts to establish a mechanism for the release of prisoners,” an Egyptian source said on Monday.
An Israeli negotiating team arrived in Sharm el-Sheikh early Monday for the ceasefire talks. The Hamas delegation, headed by the group’s leader Khalil al-Hayya, arrived on Sunday.
Earlier on Saturday, Egypt’s Foreign Ministry announced that it will host Israeli and Hamas delegations on Monday to discuss prisoner exchange details in accordance with Trump’s ceasefire plan to end the Gaza war.
Significant Progress Made in Negotiations
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said on Tuesday that as part of the Gaza ceasefire talks, discussions are underway on establishing a mechanism to ensure complete Israeli withdrawal and full access to humanitarian aid.
Speaking in a press conference with his Slovenian counterpart, Abdelatty expressed hope that the current round of negotiations would conclude with an end to the war and famine in Gaza, noting that “significant progress has been made.”
The Egyptian minister added that current discussions in Sharm el-Sheikh are focusing on the establishment of a mechanism that will guarantee a complete Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and unconditional entry of humanitarian aid into the enclave via UN channels.
He stressed that the negotiations seek to consolidate the path of just peace based on the two-state solution and full unity between the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
The top diplomat welcomed Trump’s initiative, calling for launching a political process based on the current momentum that will lead to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Hamas Agreeing to Things That’re Very Important; Trump
On Monday, Donald Trump said that Hamas has been “agreeing to things that are very important” as negotiations continue.
“If certain things aren’t met, we’re not going to do it, but I think we’re doing very well, and I think Hamas has been agreeing to things that are very important,” Trump told reporters at the Oval Office.
He said there is “a really good chance of making a deal,” adding “it’ll be a lasting deal.”
Trump praised the diplomatic efforts of regional leaders, including Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whom he called “fantastic” and “very powerful.”
“He’s been pushing very, very hard to get this deal done. And Hamas has a lot of respect for him,” Trump said. “They have a lot of respect for Qatar, for the UAE, and for Saudi Arabia. We have everybody on our side to get this deal. There’s never been anything like it.”
“I can’t think of any country that’s been negative about this,” he said. “Everyone wants it to happen – including, I think, Hamas. And when they want it to happen, it’s going to happen.”
On Sept. 29, Trump unveiled the 20-point plan, which includes the release of Israeli captives and Palestinian prisoners, a ceasefire, Hamas disarmament, and Gaza reconstruction. Hamas has agreed to the plan in principle and is discussing the next steps in Egypt.
