Israel and the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas are holding indirect talks in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, to secure a ceasefire in Gaza after nearly two years of bloody war. The talks began just after 6:30 pm local time (9:30 pm Bangladesh time).
Palestinian and Egyptian officials told the BBC that the meeting was mainly focused on “creating a ground-level environment” for a possible prisoner swap, in which Palestinian prisoners could be released in exchange for the release of all Israeli hostages.
Hamas said it had partially agreed to the peace plan. But they did not respond to several key or important demands, such as disarmament and their own role in the future government of Gaza.
This could be one of the most important discussions since the war began; one that could determine whether a path to ending the conflict is now within reach.
Earlier, on Sunday, the Reuters news agency reported that a delegation led by Israeli Strategy Minister Ron Dermer arrived in Sharm el-Sheikh on Monday. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on NBC News’ “Meet the Press” program, “The discussion about actual preparation and implementation will tell whether Hamas is serious or not.” He said that the issue of releasing 48 hostages, 20 of whom are alive, is dominating the discussions so far.
President Donald Trump later said the talks were moving quickly. “I have been told that Phase 1 will be completed this week. I have asked everyone to move even faster,” he wrote on social media.
The first phase of the deal is expected to include the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. The Hamas delegation is led by the group’s exiled leader, Khalil al-Haya, who arrived in Egypt on Sunday.
Under his leadership, Hamas officials will discuss the details of implementing Trump’s peace plan with representatives from the United States and Qatar.
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