Key American and regional mediators gathered in Egypt on Wednesday for the third day of indirect negotiations aimed at ending the two-year war in Gaza.
U.S. President Donald Trump’s envoys — Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff — arrived in Sharm el-Sheikh alongside Qatar’s Prime Minister and Turkey’s intelligence chief, signaling renewed momentum in the peace effort. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi described their arrival as “very encouraging,” saying they brought a strong mandate from Washington to help stop the conflict.
The talks focus on Trump’s proposed 20-point peace plan, which seeks to end the fighting, arrange the withdrawal of Israeli forces, and facilitate a large-scale prisoner and hostage exchange. A senior Hamas representative confirmed that the group had submitted a list of prisoners it wants released in exchange for Israeli hostages, emphasizing that it had shown “positivity and responsibility” in the process.
Despite cautious optimism, major differences remain. Hamas and Israel are reportedly divided over withdrawal maps and the timing of troop pullbacks. Hamas insists Israeli forces must first leave Gaza’s main cities, while Israel wants to adhere to the White House map, keeping more than half the territory under its control during the first phase.
On Tuesday, thousands gathered in Tel Aviv to mark the second anniversary of the Hamas-led attack on Israel, demanding the return of hostages still held in Gaza. Israeli officials have expressed guarded hope that the negotiations could soon yield progress, while Trump told reporters there was “a real chance” for peace if both sides remain committed.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Trump had personally asked him to encourage Hamas to accept the proposal, but he also urged pressure on Israel to halt its attacks, calling them “the greatest obstacle to peace.”
Recent reports suggest Israel has reduced its bombardment of Gaza City after Trump appealed for restraint. Meanwhile, Gaza’s health ministry said at least eight people were killed in the past 24 hours — the lowest daily toll reported in a week.
Since the war began in October 2023, over 67,000 people have died in Gaza, many of them children, according to local health authorities. The prolonged conflict, fueled by deep mistrust and repeated cycles of violence, now hinges on whether this round of negotiations can finally deliver a lasting truce.