Israel, Hamas Indirect Talks in Egypt on Ceasefire

Delegations from Israel and Hamas held indirect, mediator-led talks in Sharm el-Sikh, Egypt, on Oct. 6–7 aimed at implementing a U.S.-drafted plan calling for a ceasefire, hostage releases and expanded humanitarian aid. Mediators from Egypt, Qatar and the United States shuttled between the parties, and Egyptian state-linked media and AFP reported the first round ended "amid a positive atmosphere." Negotiators said they had broadly endorsed the plan's principles but continued to seek clarifications on contentious issues such as Israeli withdrawal and Hamas disarmament, and cautioned talks could take several days to convert principles into verifiable steps. President Donald Trump, who has promoted the plan and urged negotiators to "move fast," sent envoys including Jared Kushner and real estate investor Steve Witkoff. The talks took place on the second anniversary of the Oct. 7 attacks and came amid continued, if scaled-back, Israeli strikes on Gaza.