Israel and Hamas hold indirect talks in Egypt

2 months ago The News Room

Hamas and Israel negotiators have had a “positive” first day of indirect talks aimed at ending the two-year-long conflict in Gaza on the second anniversary of Hamas’ 7 October 2023 attack on Israel.

The talks in Egypt’s Sharm El-Sheikh form part of a plan put forward by United States President Donald Trump, with the delegations “discussing preparing ground conditions for the release of detainees and prisoners”, said Al-Qahera News, which is linked to Egyptian state intelligence.

“Egyptian and Qatari mediators are working with both sides to establish a mechanism” for the release of hostages held in Gaza in exchange for Palestinians held in Israeli jails, it added.

Reuters reported two sources close to Hamas’ negotiating team as saying the initial discussions had been positive. The sources said the talks, which lasted four hours on the first day, would resume in the Red Sea town of Sharm El-Sheikh at midday on Tuesday local time.