Negotiators Gather in Egypt as Trump Urges Swift Gaza Resolution

Delegations from Hamas, Israel, and the United States are scheduled to meet in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, on Monday for critical talks aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip. This meeting comes as US President Donald Trump has called for a swift resolution to the nearly two-year war, emphasizing the need for negotiators to “move fast” to secure peace.

The discussions are set to commence on the eve of the second anniversary of the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas that ignited the conflict. Both parties have expressed tentative support for Trump’s proposed roadmap, which focuses on ending hostilities and facilitating a prisoner exchange: captives held by Hamas in Gaza in return for Palestinians incarcerated in Israel.

A senior official from Hamas stated to AFP that the organization is “very keen to reach an agreement to end the war and immediately begin the prisoner exchange process in accordance with the field conditions.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has indicated hope that hostages could be released within days, reflecting a growing urgency in the negotiations.

Trump communicated on his Truth Social platform that “very positive discussions” have been taking place, adding that “the first phase should be completed this week.” He has dispatched two emissaries to aid in finalizing the deal: special envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner. The chief negotiator for Hamas, Khalil al-Hayya, arrived in Egypt late on Sunday, leading the delegation, while the Israeli team is expected to depart for Egypt on Monday.

International diplomatic efforts have seen renewed optimism, with foreign ministers from multiple countries issuing a joint statement that labels the current negotiations as a “real opportunity” for establishing a sustainable ceasefire.

Prior to the negotiations, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged Israel to pause its military actions in Gaza, noting that “you can’t release hostages in the middle of strikes.” This call for restraint comes as reports indicate that Israeli airstrikes on Sunday resulted in at least 20 fatalities across the Palestinian territory, according to Gaza’s civil defense agency.

Focus on Hostage-Prisoner Exchange

The upcoming talks aim to set the groundwork for a comprehensive exchange of hostages and prisoners. Hamas has indicated a willingness to cease military operations if Israel agrees to halt its attacks. Trump has stated that following the completion of the hostage-prisoner exchange, “we will create the conditions for the next phase of withdrawal.”

The proposed plan calls for the release of both living and deceased hostages within 72 hours. During the October 7 assault, Palestinian militants captured 251 hostages, of whom 47 remain in Gaza, with the Israeli military asserting that 25 are confirmed dead. In exchange for these hostages, Israel is anticipated to release 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences, alongside over 1,700 detainees arrested during the ongoing conflict.

The subsequent phase of the plan envisions a gradual Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, alongside Hamas’s disarmament, which the group has historically termed a red line. While Hamas seeks to maintain a voice in the future governance of the territory, Trump’s proposal suggests that neither Hamas nor other factions would play a role in Gaza’s administration. Instead, management would be handled by a technocratic body under a post-war transitional authority, with Trump himself and former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair taking pivotal roles.

As the world watches closely, the outcome of these negotiations could significantly impact the future landscape of the region. The stakes are high, and both humanitarian and political ramifications are at the forefront of these discussions.