Talks begin in Egypt on Trump plan to end Gaza war
Table of Contents
- 1. Talks begin in Egypt on Trump plan to end Gaza war
- 2. White House wants Gaza plan talks to move ‘very quickly’
- 3. ‘We are not even seeing the bare minimum from our governments’, says Thunberg after release
- 4. Talks begin in Egypt on Trump plan to end Gaza war
- 5. how might internal divisions within Hamas and israel impact the likelihood of a lasting ceasefire agreement?
- 6. Israel and Hamas Begin Ceasefire Talks Under urgent US Interest in Rapid Progress
- 7. The Current State of Negotiations
- 8. Obstacles to a Lasting Ceasefire
- 9. Internal divisions Within Hamas and Israel
- 10. The Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
- 11. Security Concerns and Future Attacks
- 12. the Role of International Law and Human Rights
- 13. Historical Context: Past Ceasefire Attempts
- 14. Potential outcomes and Future Scenarios
- 15. The Impact of US Foreign Policy
- 16. Monitoring the Situation: Key Resources
Delegations from Israel, Hamas and the US began indirect negotiations in Cairo today that the US hopes will pave the way for an end to the war in Gazafacing contentious issues such as demands that Israel pull out of the enclave and Hamas to disarm.
Israel and Hamas have both endorsed the overall principles behind Donald Trump’s plan, under which fighting would cease, hostages go free and aid pour into Gaza. The delegations are also expected to discuss key stipulations of the plan, including “Israeli military withdrawal lines in Gaza and the names of high-profile Palestinian prisoners to be released in exchange for the remaining 48 hostages”, per the Wall Street Journal.
The plan has the backing of Arab and western states. Trump has called for negotiations to take place swiftly towards a final deal, in what Washington hails as the closest the sides have yet come to ending the conflict.
Last night wrote on Truth Social that talks were “proceeding rapidly” in the lead-up to today’s meeting. “I am told that the first phase should be completed this weekand I am asking everyone to MOVE FAST,” Trump said. He has also warned of “MASSIVE BLOODSHED” if a deal is not finalized in the coming days.
US secretary of state Marco Rubio told NBC’s Meet the Press on Sunday NBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday that the path to bringing the conflict to a close would come in two phases: the first includes the coming meetings and working out logistics of the hostage release. “But that work is happening even as I speak to you this very moment,” he said.
The second, harder part, he added, is working out what happens inside Gaza after Israel withdraws to the agreed upon lines. The plan includes creating a Palestinian technocratic leadership in Gaza.
Key events
Leavitt is asked again how long she expects the technical talks to last. She declines to “draw a red line” on that.
She says again that it’s important to get this done “quickly” for purposes of “momentum to get the hostages out and then move to the next part of this which is really ensuring that we can get a lasting and durable peace in Gaza, and ensure that Gaza is a place that no longer threatens the security of Israel or the United States”.
White House wants Gaza plan talks to move ‘very quickly’
Leavitt is asked if Trump has a new deadline for the first phase (working out the logistics for the hostages to be released) to be implemented.
She clarifies that the Sunday deadline had been for Hamas to respond to Trump’s proposal.
She doesn’t give a specific new time frame for the technical talks that are underway, saying only that “we want to move very quickly on this and the president wants to see the hostages released as soon as possible”.
Asked about the Cairo talks at the White House press briefing, Karoline Leavitt says the Trump administration “is working very hard to move the ball forward as quickly as we can”.
She says Donald Trump wants to see a ceasefire and the hostages released. “The technical teams are discussing that as we speak to ensure that the environment is perfect to release those hostages,” she says.
She adds that the teams are going over the lists of the Israeli hostages and also the Palestinians political prisoners who will be released.
“Those talks are underway, and the president is very much on the ball and is being apprised of this situation,” she says.
Lisa O’Carroll
Mothers Against Genocide Scotland have said one of the Scottish citizens on the Global Sumud Flotilla, Margaret Pacetta, was on her way home to Glasgow.
MAGS have been campaigning for five Scottish citizens who were detained last week and say they are “desperately awaiting news” on two others, Sid Khan and Jim Hickey.
They have not had any update about a fourth, journalist and author Yvonne Ridley, but the fifth, student Mina Moreno, was in touch with home two days ago and is believed to be safe, they said.
Pacetta, 70, told Citizen Media France on Saturday: “That prison was awful; no food and no water. My broken leg, the girl said to me ‘what happened [with] your broken leg?’. I said ‘It’s broke, she slammed a metal door on [and] went ‘sorry’,” adding “we are fine, we are fine”.
A supporter of Ridley said they not received any communication yet from the former journalist but were “hopeful”.
The Global Sumud Flotilla said on Sunday evening they had lost track of Ridley during the transfer to Istanbul.
We’ll be hearing shortly from White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt and there will likely be some questions regarding today’s crucial talks in Cairo.
I’ll bring you any relevant news lines here once the press briefing gets going.
“We are not even seeing the bare minimum from our governments,” the activist Greta Thunberg said after her release by Israel.
She has arrived in Greece after she and another 170 people were deported for taking part in a Gaza-bound aid flotilla.
German chancellor Friedrich Merz spoke on the phone with Israel’s president Isaac Herzog on Monday and expressed hope that an agreement on the release of the hostages and a ceasefire in Gaza could be reached within the next few days, a German government spokesperson said.
The talks in Egypt must now lead to a swift agreement, and Hamas should lay down its arms, the spokesperson said.
‘We are not even seeing the bare minimum from our governments’, says Thunberg after release
Activist Greta Thunberg has arrived in Greece after she and another 170 people were deported by Israel for taking part in the Gaza-bound aid flotilla.
Speaking to the media, she said:
Let me be very clear; there is a genocide going on in front of our very eyes, a live-streamed genocide on all of our phones.
No-one has the privilege to say we are not aware of what is happening. No-one is the future will be able to say we did not know.
Under international law, states have a legal obligation to prevent and to stop a genocide from happening.
That means ending complicity, applying real pressure and ending arms transfers. We are not seeing that, we are not even seeing the bare minimum from our governments.
She goes on to say she will “never comprehend” how humans can be so “evil” to starve the people of Gaza. The global flotilla aimed to “step up when our governments failed to do so,” Thunberg adds.
Talks begin in Egypt on Trump plan to end Gaza war
Delegations from Israel, Hamas and the US began indirect negotiations in Cairo today that the US hopes will pave the way for an end to the war in Gazafacing contentious issues such as demands that Israel pull out of the enclave and Hamas to disarm.
Israel and Hamas have both endorsed the overall principles behind Donald Trump’s plan, under which fighting would cease, hostages go free and aid pour into Gaza. The delegations are also expected to discuss key stipulations of the plan, including “Israeli military withdrawal lines in Gaza and the names of high-profile Palestinian prisoners to be released in exchange for the remaining 48 hostages”, per the Wall Street Journal.
The plan has the backing of Arab and western states. Trump has called for negotiations to take place swiftly towards a final deal, in what Washington hails as the closest the sides have yet come to ending the conflict.
Last night wrote on Truth Social that talks were “proceeding rapidly” in the lead-up to today’s meeting. “I am told that the first phase should be completed this weekand I am asking everyone to MOVE FAST,” Trump said. He has also warned of “MASSIVE BLOODSHED” if a deal is not finalized in the coming days.
US secretary of state Marco Rubio told NBC’s Meet the Press on Sunday NBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday that the path to bringing the conflict to a close would come in two phases: the first includes the coming meetings and working out logistics of the hostage release. “But that work is happening even as I speak to you this very moment,” he said.
The second, harder part, he added, is working out what happens inside Gaza after Israel withdraws to the agreed upon lines. The plan includes creating a Palestinian technocratic leadership in Gaza.
Lorenzo Tondo
International activists, journalists and lawyers deported from Israel after attempting to breach the 16-year maritime blockade of Gaza as part of a humanitarian flotilla have alleged being subjected to brutal physical and verbal abuse by Israeli forces during their detention.
The alleged abuses included sleep and medication deprivation, beatings, having automatic rifles pointed at their heads, dogs set upon them, having to sleep on the floor, being subjected to insults and being made to watch footage of the Hamas attacks on Israel on 7 October 2023.
“I was beaten from the moment we entered the port until the very end,” said Saverio Tommasi, an Italian journalist. “Blows to my back, blows to my head – and they [the Israeli soldiers] laughed, laughed at all of it. Anyone who failed to keep their eyes down was punished with a hit to the head.”
Israeli forces intercepted all the boats of the Global Sumud flotilla (GSF), carrying more than 400 people including parliamentarians and the environmental campaigner Greta Thunberglast week. Most of the people were held at Ketziot, a high-security prison in the Negev desert used primarily to detain Palestinians whom Israel accuses of involvement in terrorist activities.
Israel’s foreign ministry has dismissed all claims of mistreatment of members of the flotilla as “brazen lies”, posting on X on Sunday evening: “All the detainees’ legal rights are fully upheld.”
The national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, has said he was “proud” of the way staff behaved at Ketziot. He said in a statement on the activists: “They should get a good feel for the conditions in Ketziot prison and think twice before they approach Israel again.”
German foreign minister Johann Wadephul said on Monday that the first phase of US president Donald Trump’s plans to halt the war in Gaza must be achieved by the start of next week at the latest but added that all the other issues would need time.
The first phase aims at a ceasefire, release of hostages and prisoners, restraint in the military conflict and bringing in supplies to Gaza – all of which are feasible, said Wadephul.
“All other issues are very complicated and, indeed, that is why they also need time,” said Wadephul at a press conference in Tel Aviv.
“We must not abandon all diplomatic efforts, but I would like to focus now on taking this first decisive step together.”
how might internal divisions within Hamas and israel impact the likelihood of a lasting ceasefire agreement?
Israel and Hamas Begin Ceasefire Talks Under urgent US Interest in Rapid Progress
The Current State of Negotiations
Ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas have commenced, spurred by intense diplomatic pressure, particularly from the United States. These negotiations, unfolding as of October 6, 2025, represent a critical attempt to de-escalate the ongoing conflict and address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The urgency stems from growing international concern over civilian casualties and the potential for regional instability. Key players involved, beyond Israel and Hamas, include Egypt and Qatar, acting as mediators. The US role is characterized by significant financial and political leverage, pushing for a swift resolution.
* Key Demands (Initial Positions): hamas is reportedly seeking a complete withdrawal of israeli forces from Gaza, an end to the blockade, and the release of Palestinian prisoners. Israel, while signaling a willingness to discuss a phased withdrawal, insists on security guarantees and the dismantling of Hamas’s military capabilities.
* Mediator Roles: Egypt and Qatar are facilitating communication between the parties, navigating complex demands and attempting to bridge the gap. Their historical relationships with both Israel and Hamas are crucial to the process.
* US Involvement: The Biden governance has been actively engaged, dispatching high-level envoys to the region and coordinating with regional allies. The US is offering substantial aid packages contingent on a ceasefire agreement.
Obstacles to a Lasting Ceasefire
Despite the commencement of talks, significant hurdles remain. Achieving a durable ceasefire requires addressing deeply entrenched issues and overcoming mutual distrust. Several factors complicate the negotiation process:
Internal divisions Within Hamas and Israel
Both sides face internal pressures that constrain their negotiating positions.Within Hamas, hardliners may oppose any concessions that don’t meet their maximalist demands.In Israel, a fragile coalition government faces pressure from right-wing factions to maintain a firm stance.
The Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
The dire humanitarian situation in Gaza – including shortages of food, water, medicine, and shelter – adds urgency but also complicates negotiations. Ensuring the delivery of aid and the reconstruction of infrastructure are essential components of any enduring ceasefire.The UN estimates over 80% of Gaza’s population is internally displaced.
Security Concerns and Future Attacks
Israel’s primary concern is preventing future attacks from Hamas. This necessitates addressing Hamas’s ability to re-arm and rebuild its military infrastructure. Hamas, conversely, seeks guarantees against further Israeli military operations.
the Role of International Law and Human Rights
The conflict has raised serious concerns regarding violations of international law and human rights. Accusations of war crimes have been leveled against both sides.
* International Criminal Court (ICC) Investigation: The ICC is currently investigating alleged war crimes committed in the Palestinian territories.
* Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International Reports: These organizations have documented alleged violations by both Israel and Hamas, including indiscriminate attacks and targeting of civilians.
* The Geneva Conventions: The principles of distinction, proportionality, and precaution, enshrined in the Geneva Conventions, are central to assessing the legality of military actions.
Historical Context: Past Ceasefire Attempts
Previous attempts to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas have met with limited success. Understanding the failures of past negotiations is crucial to informing the current process.
- 2014 Gaza war Ceasefire: This ceasefire, brokered by Egypt, ended a 50-day conflict but failed to address the underlying causes of the conflict.
- 2021 Gaza Conflict Truce: A truce mediated by Egypt and Qatar brought an end to 11 days of fighting, but again, did not resolve the fundamental issues.
- Recurring Cycles of Violence: The pattern of conflict and temporary truces highlights the need for a more comprehensive and sustainable solution.
Potential outcomes and Future Scenarios
Several potential outcomes could emerge from the current ceasefire talks:
* Short-Term Truce: A temporary cessation of hostilities, focused on humanitarian relief and prisoner exchanges. This is the moast likely immediate outcome.
* long-Term Ceasefire: A more durable agreement, addressing the underlying causes of the conflict and establishing a framework for future relations. This requires significant concessions from both sides.
* Escalation: A breakdown in negotiations could lead to a further escalation of violence, perhaps drawing in other regional actors.
* Regional Implications: The conflict has the potential to destabilize the wider Middle East, impacting relations between Israel, Arab states, and Iran.
The Impact of US Foreign Policy
The United States’ role as a key mediator is heavily influenced by its long-standing strategic alliance with Israel and its efforts to counter Iranian influence in the region.This delicate balancing act shapes the US approach to the negotiations. The current administration’s emphasis on human rights and international law adds another layer of complexity.
* US Aid to israel: Annual US military aid to israel plays a significant role in the security dynamics of the region.
* US Sanctions on Iran: US sanctions on Iran are aimed at curbing its nuclear program and regional activities.
* the Abraham accords: The US-brokered Abraham Accords, normalizing relations between Israel and several Arab states, have reshaped the regional landscape.
Monitoring the Situation: Key Resources
Staying informed about the evolving situation requires access to reliable news sources and
