A senior Egyptian source sought to project optimism Tuesday evening despite the growing list of demands from Hamas. In an interview with the Saudi Asharq Al-Awsat, the source said the Trump-backed plan could be finalized by Friday “if the positive atmosphere continues.” The source confirmed progress on the hostages-for-ceasefire framework and said there is “emerging agreement” over the withdrawal maps.
However, the same source warned that Hamas was pushing its demands regarding the release of convicted terrorists for internal political gain, among them Marwan Barghouti, Abdullah Barghouti, and Hassan Salameh. Despite these hurdles, the Egyptian official said an “initial agreement” could be reached by Thursday or Friday, to be formally announced by US President Donald Trump. If further delays arise, a final decision could be postponed to Sunday at the latest.
Asked whether Israel would consider tying the release of the last remaining hostage to a complete withdrawal from Gaza, the Prime Minister’s Office told Israel Hayom: “Israel is cautiously optimistic during the technical talks currently underway, following approval of the plan by all sides. We want all 48 of our hostages home and expect their immediate release, exactly as stipulated in the first phase of President Trump’s plan.”
Witkoff, Kushner, Dermer, and Qatari PM Head to Egypt
Earlier Tuesday, diplomatic sources reported real progress in the technical aspects of the ceasefire framework, including the release of hostages and the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza. But they warned that Hamas was still pushing conditions that could derail the ceasefire altogether—chiefly, demands for the release of some of the most notorious terrorists, international guarantees against the resumption of hostilities, and the deployment of an Arab force to block future Israel Defense Forces operations in Gaza.
According to Arab and American diplomatic sources involved in the negotiations, the arrival of key American figures—Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, and senior adviser Jared Kushner—is expected to help overcome the critical sticking points and leave only technical details to resolve. Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer is also set to join the talks.
President Donald Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, and adviser Jared Kushner. Photo: AFP
Qatari media reported that Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani will also arrive in Sharm el-Sheikh Wednesday morning. Qatar’s Foreign Ministry confirmed the report, saying his participation “demonstrates the mediators’ determination to reach an agreement to end the war.”
Hamas: We need international guarantees
Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin, Turkey’s top official currently engaged in dialogue with Israeli leadership, will also travel to Egypt on Wednesday to take part in the negotiations. He is expected to join Al Thani, Dermer, Witkoff, and Kushner in Sharm el-Sheikh.
Turkish intelligence chief (MIT) Ibrahim Kalin. Photo: AP
Meanwhile, senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya commented on the ongoing talks in an interview with Egypt’s Al-Qahera News Channel. He said Hamas was seeking guarantees from the international community, President Trump, the US, and the deal’s backers—Egypt and Qatar.
“We came to Sharm el-Sheikh to conduct responsible and serious negotiations to stop the war on our people in the Gaza Strip,” he said. “Israel has been waging a mad war in Gaza for two years. We share our people’s aspirations for stability, statehood, and self-determination.”
Al-Hayya thanked the Arab states and President Trump for their mediation efforts. “We came with the goal of ending the war, exchanging prisoners, and releasing the hostages,” he added. “We reaffirm our willingness to act responsibly to end the war. But the occupation continues to kill and destroy. Israel is violating its commitments regarding halting the war, and there must be guarantees that the aggression ends once and for all.”
Khalil al-Hayya, head of Hamas’ negotiating team. Photo: AP
Trump: “A real opportunity for a deal”
Speaking at the White House earlier alongside Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, President Trump expressed confidence that a breakthrough was near.
“There’s a real opportunity for a deal,” Trump said, adding that he would also be discussing Gaza with Carney. He reiterated that he wanted to see all the hostages released immediately and pledged that once the agreement was in place, the US would work to ensure that all sides uphold it.
