Sharm El-Sheikh, October 6 — Delegations from Israel and Hamas convened in Egypt on Monday for indirect negotiations on U.S. President Donald Trump’s 20-point Gaza peace plan, marking a potential breakthrough to end the nearly two-year war despite ongoing Israeli strikes that killed at least 104 Palestinians since Friday. The talks, hosted in Sharm El-Sheikh with mediators from Egypt and Qatar, focus on mechanisms for a ceasefire, hostage-prisoner exchanges and Israeli withdrawal, as Hamas agreed “in principle” to release all remaining captives in return for an end to hostilities, according to details received by The Chenab Times.
The Hamas delegation, led by Khalil al-Hayya—the group’s exiled Gaza chief who survived an Israeli assassination attempt in Qatar last month—arrived late Sunday, as reported by Al Qahera TV, a state-linked channel. Israel’s team, headed by Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer—a close Netanyahu ally—includes officials from Mossad and Shin Bet, with Dermer set to join later in the week. U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are participating, aiming to close the first phase this week, per NPR. Trump urged negotiators to “move fast,” warning Hamas against delays in a public message, while securing Israel’s agreement to an updated withdrawal map.
Hamas’s Friday response welcomed the plan’s call for a transitional Palestinian Administrative Committee of technocrats to govern Gaza, with no forced displacements and amnesty for fighters, but sought talks on details like deeper initial withdrawals, release of terror chiefs and life-term prisoners, and Palestinian Authority involvement, as per Axios. Trump viewed it as an “opening,” telling Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a contentious Friday call, “I don’t know why you’re always so f***ing negative. This is a win. Take it,” according to two U.S. officials briefed on the discussion. Netanyahu, who saw it as a rejection, stressed coordination to avoid portraying Hamas positively, but ultimately aligned after Trump’s insistence, leading to a halt in bombing three hours after the call, as reported by Axios.
The conflict, ignited by Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack that killed 1,200 Israelis and abducted 250 hostages, has resulted in over 67,000 Palestinian deaths, predominantly civilians killed by Israel, as reported by the Gaza Health Ministry’s latest figure. on October 4, 2025. Israeli attacks continued unabated, killing 10 Palestinians since dawn Monday, including aid seekers, per Al Jazeera. The Government Media Office in Gaza reported 67,160 deaths since October 2023, with 21 bodies and 96 injured in the past 24 hours. A peer-reviewed Lancet study estimated up to 84,000 by October 2024, factoring underreporting.
Trump’s involvement, including “very positive” talks with Arab and Muslim nations, marks his return to Middle East diplomacy. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio hailed the potential hostage release as an “enormous achievement,” with discussions on Gaza’s postwar reshaping ongoing, as per NBC. The plan’s second phase—Hamas disarmament and demobilization—remains contentious, requiring international pressure from Muslim countries and the EU, Rubio added.
Global reactions mixed. In Istanbul, thousands protested Israel’s war, demanding an end to the assault, as reported by Al Jazeera. Italy banned a pro-Palestinian October 7 commemoration in Bologna over unrest fears, while women in Turkey formed human chains in solidarity. Families of Israeli captives nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize for his “determination,” per the Hostages and Missing Families Forum. Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney called for the release of four detained Gaza flotilla activists, including Greta Thunberg.
In Gaza, residents expressed cautious optimism. Ahmed Hashem from Jabalia said, “We’re all praying they will succeed this time and the war stops,” while Essam Hararah from northern Gaza prioritized ending “human suffering.” Ayman al-Masri hoped for a swift agreement, citing Trump’s Nobel ambitions. Former Palestinian negotiator Mustafa Barghouti warned Netanyahu’s history of sabotaging deals could derail progress, and Yezid Sayigh stressed maintaining the agreement as the key challenge.
Former Egyptian Assistant Foreign Minister Hussein Haridy emphasized linking Hamas disarmament to Israeli withdrawal, calling separation a non-starter. Alon Liel, ex-Israeli Foreign Ministry director, predicted a hostage-prisoner swap but doubted lasting peace, noting Netanyahu’s focus on captives amid public exhaustion—66% of Israelis want the war ended, per recent polling.
The talks occur on the eve of the October 7 anniversary, with protests worldwide. In the West Bank, Israeli forces raided Bziq near Tubas, closing a school, and settlers uprooted 120 olive trees near Ramallah, as per WAFA. In southern Lebanon, an Israeli drone strike killed two, including Hezbollah fighter Hassan Ali Jamil Atoui, per Al Jazeera. Aid activists on the Conscience vessel vowed to reach Gaza by Friday, challenging the blockade, with spokesperson Huwaida Arraf declaring, “You are not alone. We are coming.”
Tony Blair’s potential role in a transitional authority drew criticism as a “dark joke,” given his Iraq War history. The Israel Premier-Tech cycling team rebranded to distance from “Israeli identity” after protests at races. A YouGov poll showed 57% of Britons view Israel’s actions as unjustified, up six points since July.
As negotiations proceed, the White House emphasized Trump’s peace priority, working closely with Israel. Rubio noted the dynamic was “tough and firm” but yielded agreement. Trump told Axios, “He was fine with it. He’s got to be fine with it. He has no choice.” Netanyahu’s aides insisted alignment, releasing a video praising Trump. Despite optimism, 104 deaths since Friday underscore the urgency.
❤️ Support Independent Journalism
Your contribution keeps our reporting free, fearless, and accessible to everyone.
Or make a one-time donation
Secure via Razorpay • 12 monthly payments • Cancel anytime before next cycle
(We don't allow anyone to copy content. For Copyright or Use of Content related questions, visit here.)
Covering international news stories and updates for the viewers of The Chenab Times.
