Overview
- Negotiations in Sharm el-Sheikh began under Egyptian and Qatari mediation with U.S. envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff pressing for rapid progress on President Donald Trump’s 20-point blueprint.
- The opening focus is a phased exchange to free the remaining hostages in Gaza—about 48, with roughly 20 believed alive—in return for large Israeli releases of Palestinian prisoners, including around 250 serving life terms and more than 1,700 detainees.
- Major gaps persist over Hamas disarmament and Gaza’s post-war governance, with Hamas rejecting disarmament absent an end to occupation and Israel signaling it could redeploy forces if talks falter.
- Israeli strikes continued during the talks, with Gaza authorities reporting fresh deaths, as the International Committee of the Red Cross said it stands ready to facilitate hostage and detainee transfers and aid access.
- Hamas’s delegation is led by Khalil al-Hayya, while Israel’s team includes Mossad and Shin Bet officials, adviser Ophir Falk and hostages coordinator Gal Hirsch, with chief negotiator Ron Dermer expected to take part later.