The second round of indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas has concluded in the Egyptian city of Sharm El-Sheikh. Talks focused on the schedule for prisoner releases and mechanisms for the withdrawal of Israeli forces.
Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and U.S. representatives will join the talks today. U.S. envoy for the Middle East Steve Wiktor and Jared Kushner, son-in-law of President Donald Trump, have already departed for the negotiations. A delegation from Türkiye, led by intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin, will also participate.
Senior Hamas official Khalil Al-Hayya stated that the group is open to a deal but requires firm guarantees for the end of the war. “We cannot trust Israel for even a moment,” he told Egyptian media, emphasizing the need for assurances that hostilities will not resume.
Another senior Hamas official told Al Jazeera that Tuesday’s discussions covered the timeline for prisoner releases and a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces. "We want the release of Israeli captives to be tied to the gradual pullout of Israeli troops," he said.
According to reports, Hamas's key demands include a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire in Gaza, complete withdrawal of Israeli forces, unrestricted humanitarian aid access, safe return of displaced Palestinians, reconstruction of Gaza, and a fair exchange of prisoners.
Discussions are set to continue today with the involvement of international mediators.
