Gaza Negotiations: Cautious Optimism in Sharm el-Sheikh as Mediators Join the Talks
A climate of cautious optimism surrounds the indirect negotiations between Hamas and Israel taking place in the Egyptian resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh, as several international mediators joined the discussions on Wednesday.
Although Hamas announced on Tuesday its willingness to reach an agreement to end the war in Gaza based on U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed plan, it also emphasized that it still had specific demands to be met.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not yet commented officially on the talks that began on Monday but referred to the current period as “decisive days.”
The mediators participating in the discussions include Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin, and an American delegation composed of Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner, who traveled to Egypt to take part in the negotiations.
Trump stated, “I believe there is a real chance for peace in the Middle East—beyond Gaza.”
According to a source familiar with the discussions, the atmosphere on Tuesday was more positive than on the opening day. The same source added that Wednesday’s session would be a crucial indicator of whether real progress could be achieved, particularly with the involvement of senior mediators.
Reuters reported that these were the most hopeful talks so far, though all sides urged caution about the likelihood of a quick agreement.
Even if an accord is reached, major questions would remain unresolved, including who would govern Gaza, oversee its reconstruction, and finance the process. Both Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu have ruled out any future role for Hamas in Gaza’s administration.
Khalil al-Hayya, the head of Hamas’s political bureau in Gaza and the group’s chief negotiator, told Egypt’s state-run Cairo News Channel that Hamas was “ready to reach an agreement but needs guarantees that the aggression will end completely and permanently.”
A major point of contention remains the issue of disarmament. Trump’s plan calls for the demilitarization of Palestinian factions, but several groups, including Hamas, issued a joint statement declaring that “no one has the right or authority to discuss the disarmament of our resistance, as Palestine will only be liberated through armed struggle.”
An American official confirmed that Trump met with Witkoff and Kushner before their departure for Egypt, saying that their discussions focused on the safety of hostages and security guarantees for both sides.
Fawzi Barhoum, a senior Hamas official, stated that “the movement’s delegation in Egypt is working to overcome all obstacles to achieve an agreement that meets the aspirations of our people.”
He added, “We seek an agreement that ensures a ceasefire and the complete withdrawal of the occupation forces,” two conditions Israel strongly rejects. Israel, in turn, demands the total disarmament of Hamas, a condition the group refuses.
Barhoum continued, “We seek an agreement that guarantees the immediate start of reconstruction under the supervision of a Palestinian technocratic authority.”
Netanyahu has not yet commented on the progress of the talks in Sharm el-Sheikh. However, in a statement posted on the X platform, he described the current period as “decisive days,” adding, “We will continue to pursue all the goals of the war: the return of all hostages, the elimination of Hamas rule, and ensuring that Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel.”
U.S. officials have emphasized that the initial focus of the talks should be on achieving a ceasefire and establishing the logistical framework for releasing Israeli hostages held in Gaza and Palestinian prisoners detained in Israel.
