US Delegation Arrives in Egypt to Push Gaza Talks
A U.S. delegation led by envoy Steve Witkoff was set to land in Egypt on Tuesday to reinforce President Donald Trump’s involvement in the latest round of indirect talks between Hamas and Israel. The discussions, centered in Sharm el-Sheikh, mark a renewed effort to end the Gaza war that has devastated the region for more than a year.
backdrop and timeline
The talks in the Egyptian Red Sea resort town entered their second day on the two-year anniversary of Hamas’s surprise attack into Israel, a rampage that triggered a brutal conflict and a broad international response. Last week, Trump unveiled a 20-point plan aimed at ending the war, which Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas broadly accepted as a framework for continuing negotiations, though each side has urged changes to several provisions.
Key aims and participants
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said the core objectives were a ceasefire, the release of Israeli hostages, and the prospect of Palestinian prisoners’ freedom. Officials also discussed maps showing potential first-phase Israeli withdrawals and the unconditional delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza through the United Nations.
White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt confirmed that Witkoff and Jared Kushner would participate in the talks and keep President Trump informed, stressing the urgency of a quick resolution. Netanyahu has framed the negotiations as time-sensitive, suggesting that talks should be confined to a few days, while Trump has warned that delays could jeopardize any deal.
What the plan envisions
Trump’s framework contemplates an international security presence in Gaza, an eventual technocratic governing body, and the possible involvement of figures like former British prime minister Tony Blair in oversight roles. Hamas has signaled resistance to foreign administration, arguing that any intervention would be unacceptable and potentially threaten Palestinian sovereignty.
Disarmament and governance debates
A central sticking point remains Hamas’s disarmament and the future governance of Gaza. Netanyahu has long demanded disarmament, but the plan’s definition of “military infrastructure” remains contested, with split interpretations about what weaponry would be disarmed. Palestinian factions, including Hamas, issued a call for continued resistance by all means, complicating efforts to harmonize positions.
Humanitarian concerns and ceasefire prospects
The plan prioritizes a humanitarian surge into Gaza, where millions face hunger and dire living conditions. UN Secretary-General António Guterres reiterated the urgency of ending hostilities and called for immediate steps to avert a humanitarian catastrophe. The plan also envisions the release of some detainees, including Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, a move expected to be highly scrutinized as negotiations proceed.
Regional and international reactions
Qatar and other regional actors offered cautious assessments, noting that while the plan has wide-ranging support, its practical implementation faces numerous hurdles. The international community is watching closely for concrete steps on ceasefire mechanisms, hostage releases, and humanitarian access, all of which could determine the pace and success of the talks.
Looking ahead
As the negotiations progress, the path to a durable settlement remains uncertain. The parties face divergent red lines on security, governance, and the role of international actors in Gaza. Nonetheless, presidency-backed diplomacy in Sharm el-Sheikh underscores a renewed push to end one of the region’s longest-running conflicts, leveraging both existing alliances and new international oversight to bridge deep-seated differences.
