Hamas, Israel Begin ‘Unofficial’ Talks In Cairo On Trump’s Gaza Peace Plan And Hostage Swap

<p data-start=”330″ data-end=”707″>High-stakes negotiations begin in Cairo as Egyptian and Qatari mediators work to broker a Gaza peace deal centred on a large-scale hostage-prisoner exchange and a potential halt to the war. The talks come as both Hamas and Israel cautiously welcome US President Donald Trump&rsquo;s new peace proposal aimed at ending devastating conflict in Gaza.</p>
<p data-start=”709″ data-end=”981″>According to Al-Qahera News, which is linked to Egyptian intelligence, the delegations are &ldquo;discussing ground conditions for the release of detainees and prisoners,&rdquo; following Trump&rsquo;s proposal to stop hostilities and secure the release of captives on both sides.</p>
<p data-start=”983″ data-end=”1189″>Sources said Egyptian and Qatari officials are mediating indirect talks, working to establish a clear mechanism for exchanging Israeli hostages held in Gaza for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.</p>
<p data-start=”1191″ data-end=”1380″>Negotiations are taking place under tight security and behind closed doors, only weeks after Israel reportedly attempted to assassinate Hamas&rsquo;s chief negotiators in a strike on Qatar.</p>
<p data-start=”1382″ data-end=”1581″>The Hamas delegation, led by senior official Khalil al-Hayya, who survived the Doha attack, met Egyptian intelligence officials before the talks, according to an Egyptian security source.</p>
<p data-start=”1583″ data-end=”1905″>The latest round, launched on the eve of the second anniversary of Hamas&rsquo;s October 7, 2023 attack, is expected to be &ldquo;difficult and complex,&rdquo; a Palestinian source close to the movement&rsquo;s leadership told AFP. &ldquo;We expect tough negotiations given the occupation&rsquo;s intent to continue its war of extermination,&rdquo; he added.</p>
<h2 data-start=”1907″ data-end=”1957″>Trump&rsquo;s Pressure for Swift End to Gaza War</h2>
<p data-start=”1959″ data-end=”2283″>Trump&rsquo;s team, including envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner, has urged mediators to &ldquo;move fast&rdquo; to end the Gaza war. Despite ongoing diplomatic efforts, Israeli airstrikes continued on Monday, killing at least seven Palestinians, according to Gaza&rsquo;s civil defence agency spokesperson Mahmud Basal.</p>
<p data-start=”2285″ data-end=”2438″>AFP footage showed fresh explosions across the enclave, even after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called on Israel to halt its bombing campaign.</p>
<h2 data-start=”2440″ data-end=”2480″>&lsquo;Several Days of Talks Expected&rsquo;</h2>
<p data-start=”2482″ data-end=”2654″>Both Hamas and Israel have signalled conditional approval of Trump&rsquo;s peace initiative, but diplomats warn that reaching a final agreement could take several days.</p>
<p data-start=”2656″ data-end=”2982″>The plan includes a phased Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, alongside the release of all hostages and Palestinian prisoners, and a complete ceasefire. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has maintained that troops will remain deployed &ldquo;deep inside Gaza&rdquo; until Israel&rsquo;s security goals are met.</p>
<p data-start=”2984″ data-end=”3172″>According to Palestinian sources, the initial exchange process could take several days, depending on Israel&rsquo;s troop movements, ceasefire compliance, and suspension of air operations.</p>
<p data-start=”3174″ data-end=”3408″>With both sides testing the limits of diplomacy, Cairo has once again become the epicentre of Middle East peace efforts, as the world watches whether Trump&rsquo;s latest Gaza peace plan can end one of the region&rsquo;s deadliest wars.</p>