Senior envoys from the United States, Turkey, and Qatar arrived in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, to join ongoing indirect talks between Israel and Hamas aimed at ending the protracted conflict in Gaza. The negotiations, now in their third day as of early October 2025, are built around a 20-point peace plan proposed by US President Donald Trump.
Representing the United States are Trump’s special Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner. Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and Turkey’s National Intelligence Organisation chief Ibrahim Kalin are also participating, alongside key representatives from Israel and Hamas.
The talks focus on establishing a ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, and a prisoner exchange deal. Hamas has provided a list of Palestinian prisoners they want to be released in exchange for hostages currently held in Gaza. Israeli officials have expressed cautious optimism, with some hope that an agreement may be reached soon.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi described the delegation’s presence as a “very encouraging” sign, indicating a strong mandate from Trump to conclude the war. Despite ongoing Israeli military operations in Gaza, the talks mark a significant diplomatic effort to bring peace and facilitate humanitarian aid.
The negotiations occur amid heightened tensions, including controversial Israeli visits to religious sites in Jerusalem that Hamas labeled provocative. Both sides remain deeply divided, but the involvement of influential regional and international actors provides a boost to the prospects for a resolution.
President Trump has indicated a personal commitment to ensuring adherence to any ceasefire deal and hinted at a possible visit to the region to support peace efforts. Meanwhile, the international community closely watches the talks as a potential turning point in a conflict that has devastated Gaza over the past two years.