CAIRO, Oct 7: Indirect negotiations over a US peace plan to end the Gaza war are continuing on Tuesday in Egypt’s Sharm El-Sheikh. According to Palestinian and Egyptian officials cited by the BBC, the discussions are aimed at setting the groundwork for an exchange deal that would see all Israeli hostages freed in return for Palestinian prisoners.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said over the weekend that he hoped to announce the release of hostages “in the coming days.” US President Donald Trump told reporters that there was “a really good chance” of achieving a lasting peace agreement.
Hamas, the BBC reported, has accepted parts of the proposal but has not responded to key demands, including disarmament and its future role in Gaza. A Palestinian official quoted by Reuters said Monday’s session ended late and that more meetings would follow.
The BBC noted that Tuesday’s discussions coincide with the second anniversary of the 7 October 2023 Hamas-led assault on southern Israel, which killed about 1,200 people and saw 251 others taken hostage. Israel’s military campaign that followed has killed more than 67,000 people in Gaza, including 18,000 children, according to the territory’s Hamas-run health ministry. UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated that Trump’s peace plan “presents an opportunity to end this tragic conflict,” while UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer mentioned that his government “welcomes the US initiative” and will work toward lasting peace in the Middle East.
Trump to push Netanyahu on Gaza peace plan at White House
An Israeli security source told the BBC that the early phase of the talks will focus on hostage releases, allowing Hamas several days to complete that process. Those present at the discussions include US envoy Steve Witkoff,
Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, and Qatar’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. Trump, writing on social media, urged all sides to “move fast,” saying he was informed that the first stage of the plan—focused on hostage release—could be completed this week. Egyptian outlet Al-Qahera News, linked to state intelligence, reported that the first day ended “amid a positive atmosphere,” according to the BBC.
According to the BBC, the 20-point peace plan agreed by Trump and Netanyahu calls for an immediate end to fighting and the release of 48 Israeli hostages, only 20 of whom are believed to be alive, in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian detainees.
The proposal says full humanitarian aid would flow into Gaza once the exchange begins. It also stipulates that Hamas will have no political role in Gaza and keeps open the possibility of a future Palestinian state. Netanyahu later reiterated his opposition, saying in a video statement, “It’s not written in the agreement. We oppose a Palestinian state,” the BBC reported.
Hamas, in a statement quoted by the BBC, said it agreed to release all Israeli hostages, living or dead, according to the terms of Trump’s plan, if certain conditions are met.
The group said it was ready to transfer Gaza’s administration to a non-partisan Palestinian body of independents supported by Arab and Islamic nations. It did not mention disarmament or renouncing political power. Observers cited by the BBC interpreted Hamas’s measured tone as a sign of external pressure to accept the plan, the BBC said
According to BBC reports, the Palestinian Authority described the US effort as “sincere and determined,” while Iran, a key Hamas ally, has also shown support for the initiative. Several European and Arab leaders have welcomed the proposal, seeing it as a possible turning point after months of violence.
Israeli airstrikes continued in Gaza ahead of the resumed talks. Gaza’s civil defence spokesman Mahmoud Basal told the BBC that no aid convoys had entered Gaza City since Israel’s latest offensive began four weeks ago.
He said rescue teams are unable to retrieve bodies from areas under Israeli control. Hundreds of thousands have fled south following evacuation orders, but many remain in northern Gaza. Israel’s defence minister warned that those staying behind would be treated as “terrorists and supporters of terror.” The Hamas-run health ministry said 21 Palestinians were killed and 96 injured in the past 24 hours. International journalists remain barred from independently entering Gaza, making independent verification of claims difficult, according to the BBC.
