The first day of renewed indirect talks between Israel and Hamas in Egypt has ended on what participants described as a “positive” note, raising cautious optimism for progress in efforts to end the devastating war in Gaza. The negotiations, held in the Red Sea resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh, are part of a renewed push to implement U.S. President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan for the region.
Sources close to the discussions told Al Jazeera and other outlets that a roadmap has been drawn up to guide the next phases of talks, which are scheduled to resume on Tuesday.
Prisoner Exchange and Ceasefire on the Table
The talks focused on some of the most contentious issues: a potential exchange of prisoners and captives, a ceasefire framework, and increased humanitarian aid to Gaza. According to Egypt’s state-affiliated Al-Qahera News, both delegations explored mechanisms that could unlock further dialogue in the coming days.
Hamas representatives, including senior figures Khalil al-Hayya and Zaher Jabarin — both of whom survived an Israeli assassination attempt in Doha last month — warned that Israel’s ongoing bombardment of Gaza complicates any progress on prisoner release.
Despite the challenges, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized that Washington is working to accelerate the process. “The technical teams are discussing that as we speak, to ensure that the environment is perfect to release those hostages,” she said.
Trump’s Push for Momentum
President Trump struck a cautiously upbeat tone when speaking from the Oval Office on Monday. “We have a really good chance of making a deal,” he said, while also noting that he has “red lines” that must be respected. He praised what he called Hamas’s willingness to agree on “important points.”
The U.S. delegation reportedly includes Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, highlighting the administration’s personal investment in securing progress.
Two Years Since October 7 Attack
The resumption of talks coincides with the second anniversary of Hamas’s October 7, 2023 assault on Israel, which left 1,139 people dead and roughly 200 taken captive. Since then, Israel’s military response has killed more than 67,000 Palestinians and wounded nearly 170,000, according to health authorities in Gaza. A United Nations inquiry and several rights groups have described the campaign as genocidal.
Even as the negotiations unfolded, Israeli strikes across Gaza on Monday killed at least 10 more Palestinians, including three civilians seeking humanitarian aid, underscoring the urgency of the talks.
Calls for a Lasting Ceasefire
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres marked the anniversary with a statement on social media. While condemning Hamas’s “abhorrent large-scale terror attack,” he also urged all parties to seize the opportunity presented by the Trump proposal.
“A permanent ceasefire and a credible political process are essential to prevent further bloodshed and pave the way for peace,” Guterres wrote.
With talks set to continue on Tuesday, mediators in Cairo are hopeful that the initial signs of goodwill can be transformed into concrete steps toward ending one of the deadliest conflicts of the 21st century.
