The United States, Qatar, and Turkey joined Israeli and Hamas delegations on Wednesday for a third round of Gaza peace talks in Egypt. The negotiations, held in Sharm El-Sheikh, follow US President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan proposing a ceasefire, hostage releases, and Hamas’s disarmament.
Attendees include Trump’s special Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner, Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and Turkey’s intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin.
Trump told reporters on Tuesday that there’s a real chance for progress, including peace in the Middle East and the immediate release of hostages. He added that the United States would do everything possible to ensure adherence to any deal.
Mounting global pressure
The talks occur as Israel commemorates the second anniversary of Hamas’s 7 October, 2023, attack, which ignited the conflict. This attack resulted in 1,219 deaths, primarily civilians, and led to a massive Israeli offensive in Gaza. The group also took 251 hostages, with 47 still captive, including 25 confirmed dead by the Israeli military.
Global pressure to end the war grows as Gaza faces destruction, famine, and hostage families await their loved ones’ return. A recent UN probe accused Israel of genocide in Gaza, while rights groups allege Hamas committed war crimes during the 7 October attack. Both sides deny these allegations.
Additionally, worldwide protests last weekend demanded an immediate ceasefire, with demonstrators in Europe calling for recognition of a Palestinian state, while tens of thousands in Britain held vigils despite Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s appeal to avoid rallies.
Conditions for a deal
However, Hamas’s chief negotiator, Khalil al-Hayya, stated the group seeks guarantees from Trump and the sponsoring countries to ensure a permanent end to the war. Trump’s plan includes a ceasefire, the release of all hostages, Hamas’s disarmament, and a gradual Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. Both Israel and Hamas have responded positively, prompting indirect talks in Egypt since Monday. Trump pledged the United States would ensure both sides adhere to any agreement, as Egyptian officials said his involvement remains the “primary guarantee” of progress in the negotiations.
Moreover, a Palestinian source close to Hamas revealed that Tuesday’s discussions involved initial maps from Israel regarding troop withdrawal and the timeline for the hostage exchange.
Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has killed at least 67,160 people, according to the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza, with the UN deeming the figures credible. The data does not distinguish between civilians and combatants but indicates that over half of the dead are women and children.
