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The discussions — mediated by Egyptian and US officials — are centred on a phased ceasefire proposal drafted by former US President Donald Trump.
People walk past one of the four bronze lion statues at the end of the landmark Qasr el-Nile bridge connecting Cairo’s central Tahrir Square to the island of Zamalek (background) on October 6, 2025 (AFP)
Indirect talks between Israel and Hamas began on Monday at Egypt’s Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, marking a fresh attempt to end the nearly two-year war in Gaza under a US-brokered peace plan.
The discussions — mediated by Egyptian and US officials — are centred on a phased ceasefire proposal drafted by former US President Donald Trump. The plan envisions a halt to hostilities, the release of hostages, and the disarmament of Hamas, a key Israeli demand.
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Inside The Talks
Negotiations on Monday stretched for several hours, with delegations from both sides led by Israel’s top negotiator Ron Dermer and Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayyah. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s foreign policy adviser, Ophir Falk was also present, while US envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner were expected to join the next rounds.
According to Egyptian officials, the parties reached tentative agreement on most first-phase terms — a ceasefire and hostage exchange — but remain divided over Hamas’s future role and the timeline for Israeli troop withdrawal. Talks are scheduled to resume on Tuesday.
Trump, who unveiled the peace blueprint last week, said resolving the Gaza crisis could “reset the Middle East peace process.” Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi praised the effort, calling it vital to preserving regional stability.
Bombardment Continues Despite Peace Push
Even as the talks unfolded, Israeli airstrikes on Gaza persisted despite Trump’s directive to halt the bombing. Gaza’s Health Ministry said 19 Palestinians were killed in the past 24 hours, adding to a death toll of over 67,000 since the conflict erupted on October 7, 2023. Nearly 170,000 have been wounded, the ministry said.
The Israeli military insisted it was conducting “defensive strikes” to protect its troops. Hamas’s October 7 assault on Israel killed about 1,200 people and led to 251 hostages being taken; most have since been released in previous truces.
Hostage Families, Global Reactions
Families of Israeli hostages have written to the Nobel Committee urging it to award Trump the Nobel Peace Prize for his mediation role. “For the first time in months, we are hopeful that our nightmare will finally be over,” they said in a letter.
Meanwhile, the Vatican condemned both Hamas’s initial massacre and Israel’s ongoing bombardment. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s secretary of state, said, “Even legitimate defence must respect proportionality… the chain of hatred leads nowhere good.”
In Gaza, civilians continue to endure the humanitarian fallout. Families displaced multiple times struggle for food, water, and safety, with mothers marking their children’s second birthdays in tents instead of homes.
About the Author
Covering day-to-day national and international news for the last nine years across print and digital. Associated with News18.com as Chief Sub-Editor since 2022, covering innumerable big and small events, includ…Read More
Covering day-to-day national and international news for the last nine years across print and digital. Associated with News18.com as Chief Sub-Editor since 2022, covering innumerable big and small events, includ… Read More
October 07, 2025, 08:02 IST
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