Israel, Hamas Begin Indirect Talks In Egypt To End Gaza War: Report

Last Updated:October 06, 2025, 21:17 IST

The discussions are based on a proposal from US President Donald Trump to halt hostilities and initiate a broader peace process

A man waves a Palestinian national flag during a protest titled "Stop the genocide in Gaza" in front of the German Foreign Ministry in Berlin. (AFP photo)

`Delegations from Hamas and Israel began indirect talks on Monday in the Egyptian resort town of Sharm El-Sheikh, aimed at ending the nearly two-year war in Gaza, Egyptian state-linked media reported.

According to Al-Qahera News, which is close to Egypt’s intelligence services, the discussions are focused on preparing the ground for a potential exchange of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza and Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. The talks are being held behind closed doors, with Egyptian and Qatari mediators shuttling between the two sides.

The discussions are based on a proposal from US President Donald Trump to halt hostilities and initiate a broader peace process. Trump’s plan includes the disarmament of Hamas and a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, in return for the release of hostages and political transition in the territory.

Hamas’s delegation is being led by senior negotiator Khalil al-Hayya, who recently survived an Israeli strike in Doha. He met with Egyptian intelligence officials before the negotiations began, according to an Egyptian security source.

This round of talks comes on the eve of the second anniversary of Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack, which triggered the war. A Palestinian source close to Hamas said the negotiations “may last for several days" and warned they will be “difficult and complex", citing Israeli intentions to continue military operations.

While both Hamas and Israel have responded positively to the Trump proposal, key obstacles remain. Hamas is unlikely to accept disarmament, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected full withdrawal from Gaza.

Israeli military chief Lt Gen Eyal Zamir said the army would resume fighting if talks fail. On Monday, Israeli air strikes continued, killing at least seven people, according to Gaza’s civil defence agency.

Trump, whose envoys are expected in Egypt this week, urged negotiators to “move fast". His plan includes a temporary truce, followed by the release of 47 Israeli hostages in exchange for 250 Palestinian prisoners and over 1,700 war detainees.

The Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said it is ready to help with the exchange and ensure humanitarian aid resumes across Gaza, where the UN has declared a famine.

(With inputs from AFP)

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