Israeli delegation heads to Egypt for indirect talks with Hamas

A senior Israeli delegation is set to travel to Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt on Monday to resume negotiations with mediators and representatives of Hamas’s political bureau, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Talks are expected to stretch through the week, indicating that any potential agreement for the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza is unlikely before the end of the negotiations.

This latest round of discussions comes amid mounting international pressure to reach a deal and growing frustration over the prolonged captivity of hostages. 

While the core issues of ceasefire terms and prisoner exchanges remain unresolved, sources close to the talks say there is cautious optimism that this round may bring the sides closer than previous attempts.

Should significant progress be made, the negotiations are expected to expand to include top-level officials. Among them: Israeli Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer, Jared Kushner — former senior advisor and son-in-law to Donald Trump — and Steve Witkoff, President Trump’s special envoy involved in regional diplomacy. 

Their presence would signal a move toward finalizing a framework for a broader deal.

For now, the talks remain at a technical and indirect stage, with Egyptian and Qatari mediators serving as go-betweens. Officials warn that while momentum may be building, significant hurdles remain — particularly on the issue of Hamas’s future role in Gaza and the conditions for a sustainable ceasefire.