Hamas, Israel Begin ‘Unofficial’ Talks In Cairo On Trump’s Gaza Peace Plan And Hostage Swap

<p data-start="330" data-end="707">High-stakes negotiations begin in Cairo as Egyptian and Qatari mediators work to broker a Gaza peace deal centred on a large-scale hostage-prisoner exchange and a potential halt to the war. The talks come as both Hamas and Israel cautiously welcome US President Donald Trump&rsquo;s new peace proposal aimed at ending devastating conflict in Gaza.</p> <p data-start="709" data-end="981">According to Al-Qahera News, which is linked to Egyptian intelligence, the delegations are &ldquo;discussing ground conditions for the release of detainees and prisoners,&rdquo; following Trump&rsquo;s proposal to stop hostilities and secure the release of captives on both sides.</p> <p data-start="983" data-end="1189">Sources said Egyptian and Qatari officials are mediating indirect talks, working to establish a clear mechanism for exchanging Israeli hostages held in Gaza for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.</p> <p data-start="1191" data-end="1380">Negotiations are taking place under tight security and behind closed doors, only weeks after Israel reportedly attempted to assassinate Hamas&rsquo; chief negotiators in a strike on Qatar.</p> <p data-start="1382" data-end="1581">The Hamas delegation, led by senior official Khalil al-Hayya, who survived the Doha attack, met Egyptian intelligence officials before the talks, according to an Egyptian security source.</p> <p data-start="1583" data-end="1905">The latest round, launched on the eve of the second anniversary of Hamas&rsquo; October 7, 2023 attack, is expected to be &ldquo;difficult and complex,&rdquo; a Palestinian source close to the movement&rsquo;s leadership told AFP. &ldquo;We expect tough negotiations given the occupation&rsquo;s intent to continue its war of extermination,&rdquo; he added.</p> <h2 data-start="1907" data-end="1957">Trump&rsquo;s Pressure for Swift End to Gaza War</h2> <p data-start="1959" data-end="2283">Trump&rsquo;s team, including envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner, has urged mediators to &ldquo;move fast&rdquo; to end the Gaza war. Despite ongoing diplomatic efforts, Israeli airstrikes continued till last week, killing at least seven Palestinians, according to Gaza&rsquo;s civil defence agency spokesperson Mahmud Basal.</p> <p data-start="2285" data-end="2438">AFP footage showed fresh explosions across the enclave, even after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called on Israel to halt its bombing campaign.</p> <h2 data-start="2440" data-end="2480">&lsquo;Several Days of Talks Expected&rsquo;</h2> <p data-start="2482" data-end="2654">Both Hamas and Israel have signalled conditional approval of Trump&rsquo;s peace initiative, but diplomats warn that reaching a final agreement could take several days.</p> <p data-start="2656" data-end="2982">The plan includes a phased Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, alongside the release of all hostages and Palestinian prisoners, and a complete ceasefire. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has maintained that troops will remain deployed &ldquo;deep inside Gaza&rdquo; until Israel&rsquo;s security goals are met.</p> <p data-start="2984" data-end="3172">According to Palestinian sources, the initial exchange process could take several days, depending on Israel&rsquo;s troop movements, ceasefire compliance, and suspension of air operations.</p> <p data-start="3174" data-end="3408">With both sides testing the limits of diplomacy, Cairo has once again become the epicentre of Middle East peace efforts, as the world watches whether Trump&rsquo;s latest Gaza peace plan can end one of the region&rsquo;s deadliest wars.</p>

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