The first round of talks between Hamas and mediators – Egypt, Qatar, USA – to end the war in Gaza concluded in a “positive atmosphere,” an Egyptian state media outlet reported early Tuesday (7/10). According to Al Qahera News, a television network considered close to Egyptian intelligence services, the talks are expected to continue today in Sharm el-Sheikh, again between Hamas and the mediators. An Israeli delegation arrived there on Monday.
Hamas expresses concerns about whether Israel will commit to complete withdrawal from Gaza and permanent ceasefire
A Palestinian official close to the negotiations told Reuters that the first session ended late Monday night and that more talks were scheduled for Tuesday. Hamas presented its position regarding the release of hostages and the scale and timeline of Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza, the official said. The Islamist group also expressed concerns about whether Israel would commit to a permanent ceasefire and complete withdrawal, the official stated.
Even as talks concluded for the day, sounds of explosions from airstrikes and house demolitions could be heard in Gaza City, indicating that Israel had not stopped the bombings. The talks began on the eve of the second anniversary of Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack against Israel, which triggered the war. The militants killed 1,200 people and took 251 hostages, in a day that was the deadliest for Jews since the Holocaust.
The Israeli delegation includes officials from the Mossad and Shin Bet intelligence services, Netanyahu’s foreign policy advisor Ophir Falk, and hostage coordinator Gal Hirsch. Israel’s chief negotiator, Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, is expected to join later this week, depending on how negotiations progress, according to three Israeli officials.
Hamas’s delegation is led by the organization’s exiled Gaza leader, Khalil Al-Hayya, who survived an Israeli airstrike that killed his son in Doha, Qatar’s capital, a month ago.
Trump: Tremendous progress in Gaza negotiations
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said Monday that he believes a Gaza agreement will be reached soon, referring to the negotiations taking place in Egypt.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, the US president assured that tremendous progress has been made in the indirect negotiations taking place in Egypt between Hamas and Israel, based on his own plan for Gaza. He expressed optimism that an agreement could be reached to end the war in Gaza and return the hostages.
Trump on Gaza talks: Hamas “agrees on some very important issues”
The US president assured that Hamas “agrees on some very important issues,” expressing optimism for reaching an agreement aimed at ending the war in the Gaza Strip.
Speaking to reporters in the White House Oval Office, the US president said regarding the negotiations taking place in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt: “I think we’re doing very well. I think Hamas is agreeing on issues that are very important.”
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump denied an Axios report this week that claimed he had told Netanyahu to stop being “negative” about a potential agreement and to “take the win.”
“No, that’s not true. He was very positive about the deal. Everyone is. I think every nation is. We have almost every nation working on this deal and trying to get it done,” Trump responded, adding: “Israel has been terrific.”
Asked if he has red lines on issues like Hamas disarmament, the US president replied: “I have red lines. If certain things aren’t met, we’re not going to do it. But I think we’re doing very well. And I think Hamas has agreed to things that are very important.”
Trump said he expects an agreement soon, adding the agreement for a “lasting peace” that goes beyond Gaza. “This is about peace in the Middle East,” he said.
