Hamas-Israel Continue Indirect Peace Talks In Egypt

Israeli tanks operate in the Gaza Strip. (Source: Israel Defense Forces)

JAKARTA - The militant groups Hamas and Israel resumed peace negotiations against the indirect conflict in the Gaza Strip on Monday in Egypt.

The negotiations held at Egypt's Red Sea resort, Sharm el-Sheikh aims to lay the groundwork for prisoner swaps as part of efforts to advance the planned ceasefire of Gaza supported by the United States.

The government's Al-Qahera news channel, citing Egyptian sources, said the negotiations were part of Egypt's efforts to implement the ceasefire plan proposed by US President Donald Trump.

"Medians from Egypt and Qatar are working hard to build a prisoner release mechanism," the source added as quoted by the Daily Sabah, October 7.

Israel and Hamas both support the general principles behind President Trump's plan, which states fighting will be stopped, hostages being released and aid will flow to Gaza. The plan also received support from Arab and Western countries.

President Trump has called for immediate negotiations towards the final deal.

"I absolutely believe we will reach an agreement," President Trump said Monday at the White House as reported by Reuters.

"We have a very good chance of reaching an agreement, and it will be a lasting deal," he hoped.

The Hamas delegation arrived in Sharm el-Sheikh arriving on Sunday. Meanwhile, the Israeli negotiating team arrived on Monday morning. This negotiation was also followed by delegates from the United States, Egypt, and Qatar as intermediaries.

Israel's delegation consisted of officials from Mossad and Shin Bet intelligence agencies, Israeli foreign policy adviser Ophir Falk, and hostage coordinator Gal Hirsch.

Israel's chief negotiator, Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer, is expected to join this weekend, pending developments in negotiations, according to three Israeli officials.

Meanwhile, the Hamas delegation was led by the exiled Hamas leader in Gaza, Khalil Al-Hayya, who survived an Israeli airstrike that killed his son in Doha, Qatar's capital, a month ago.

The US itself sent a special envoy for Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, the White House said.

Earlier, Egypt's Foreign Ministry on Saturday announced it would host Israeli delegations and Hamas on Monday to discuss details of the prisoner swap in accordance with Trump's ceasefire plans to end the Gaza war.

It is known that President Trump on September 29 announced a proposal for a Gaza peace of 20 points, including the release of Israeli and Palestinian prisoners, a ceasefire, a Hamas ceasefire, and a reconstruction of Gaza.