Indirect Talks Begin in Egypt: Israel, Hamas Discuss Trump’s Gaza Plan

In a significant diplomatic development amid ongoing tensions, delegations from Israel and the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas commenced indirect negotiations in Egypt. These discussions center around US President Donald Trump’s 20-point proposal for the Gaza Strip. The talks began on October 6, 2025, at the picturesque Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh.

The Egyptian official overseeing these proceedings expressed optimism about the potential outcomes of these dialogues. Arab mediators initially engaged with the Hamas delegation before meeting with representatives from Israel. Notably, both Egyptian and Qatari mediators play crucial roles in facilitating this process by relaying the progress between the two parties to US Special Envoy Steve Wightkoff, who is expected to join the discussions subsequently.

The focus of these negotiations lies primarily on Trump’s Gaza plan—a framework that has garnered partial acceptance from Hamas. The movement agreed to release Israeli captives in exchange for Palestinian detainees under certain “field conditions.” Furthermore, Hamas reaffirmed its readiness to transfer governance of Gaza to a technocratic body grounded in Palestinian national consensus and supported by Arab and Islamic nations.

While the negotiations mark a positive stride towards potential peace, there are complex issues on the table. Among them is the demand from Hamas that Israel fully withdraws from the Gaza Strip—a longstanding point of contention. Additionally, reports surfaced claiming Hamas might agree to disarm under Trump’s plan; however, Hamas has categorically denied any such agreement.

The backdrop to these talks is a fraught history marked by violence and suffering. Since October 7, 2023, Israel’s military offensive in response to an earlier operation by Hamas has led to significant loss of life and widespread humanitarian crises within Gaza. According to local health ministry reports, over 67,000 Palestinians have been killed, with injuries surpassing 169,000. The territory faces severe food shortages as access to essential aid remains severely restricted.

Amid these challenging circumstances, President Trump urged Israel to halt its military actions in Gaza, highlighting Hamas’s apparent willingness for a lasting peace agreement. In statements on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump emphasized the rapid pace of negotiations and cautioned against the dire consequences of failing to reach an accord swiftly.

As Monday’s talks progressed, expectations were high that key sticking points such as full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and disarmament would be addressed. However, Hamas’s steadfast rejection of surrendering its arms underscores the complexity of achieving a comprehensive resolution.

These indirect talks in Egypt signify a pivotal moment in Middle Eastern diplomacy, with global eyes on the potential for peace or continued conflict in the region.

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