Sharm El-Sheikh (Egypt), October 7 (Udaipur Kiran): The first round of Gaza peace talks between Hamas and Israel concluded on a positive note in Egypt on Tuesday morning, raising hopes for progress toward a ceasefire agreement. The discussions, which began Monday evening, are expected to continue for several days and are centered around US President Donald Trump’s peace plan.
According to Arab News, Egypt’s state-run media outlet Al-Qahera News reported that the opening round took place in a “positive atmosphere” and will resume today. The talks are being held behind closed doors and under tight security, following recent Israeli attempts to target Hamas negotiators in Qatar.
The initial discussions focused on the exchange of hostages and prisoners. Egyptian and Qatari mediators are working with both sides to establish a framework that could secure the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza in exchange for Palestinian prisoners detained in Israeli jails.
US President Donald Trump, speaking at the White House, expressed confidence that a peace agreement is achievable. His plan reportedly includes a 20-point framework, which emphasizes a ceasefire, Hamas disarmament, and steps toward stabilizing Gaza. However, Hamas is unlikely to agree to complete disarmament.
Hamas negotiator Khalil al-Hayya met with Egyptian intelligence officials ahead of the session. The talks coincide with the second anniversary of the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack and the ensuing war, which has devastated Gaza.
Hamas has reiterated its demands, including a permanent ceasefire, complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and a comprehensive prisoner swap involving both living and deceased hostages. According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, more than 67,000 Palestinians have been killed and around 170,000 injured in Israeli bombings since the conflict began, displacing 90% of Gaza’s 2.4 million residents multiple times.
The Israeli delegation includes intelligence officials and advisors, with chief negotiator Ron Dermer expected to join later this week depending on the talks’ progress. Hamas’s delegation is led by exiled leader Khalil al-Hayya.
Meanwhile, Trump’s envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have urged negotiators to accelerate efforts to end the war. On Tuesday, Trump is also scheduled to host freed hostage Aiden Alexander, the only US-Israeli soldier abducted during the October 2023 Hamas-led assault, at the White House.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.