Israeli and Hamas officials are holding indirect negotiations in Egypt’s resort city of Sharm El-Sheikh to secure agreement on a US-backed plan to end the war in Gaza. Palestinian and Egyptian officials confirmed that the discussions are focused on creating the field conditions for an exchange deal that would see the release of all Israeli hostages in return for a number of Palestinian prisoners. Hamas said it has agreed to release all Israeli prisoners, both living and dead, according to the exchange formula contained in US President Trump’s proposal, provided the necessary conditions are met.
However, it has not addressed several key points of contention, including demands for its disarmament and its future political role in Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday that he hoped to announce the release of hostages in the coming days. Egyptian and Qatari mediators are expected to conduct shuttle diplomacy between the delegations of both sides. The talks are taking place amid the second anniversary of the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which left around 1,200 people dead and 251 taken hostage. US special envoy Steve Witkoff, former White House adviser Jared Kushner, and Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani are among those participating in the discussions.
Must Read
- Advertisement -
