Top Officials To Join Egypt Ceasefire Talks for Third Day of Negotiations

Latest Developments

• Negotiations in Egypt: Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer will reportedly travel to Egypt on October 8 to participate in what will be the third day of negotiations over President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan for a sustainable peace in Gaza. He will be joined by Trump advisers Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani, and, reportedly, Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin. The talks, hosted in the Egyptian resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh, began on October 6 with a Hamas delegation led by senior official Khalil al-Hayya.
• President Positive Over Prospective Deal: President Trump on October 7 expressed optimism about the ongoing talks in Egypt, saying, “I think there’s a possibility that we could have peace in the Middle East, something even beyond the Gaza situation,” emphasizing as well that,  “There’s a real chance that we could do something.” He reiterated his demand for the immediate release of hostages held by Hamas as a prerequisite for progress.
• Hamas Attempting to Reshape Deal: Hamas indicated on October 7 that the group would only proceed with a full hostage release if it receives “guarantees” that Israel will end its Gaza offensive. According to Al Jazeera, a Hamas official suggested that hostages might be freed in stages tied to Israeli troop withdrawals. By contrast, Trump’s plan requires a full release within 72 hours of finalizing the deal, at which point the war would be formally declared over. Israel, however, would not required to withdraw its forces beyond limited tactical redeployments away from population centers.

FDD Expert Response

“The structure of the Sharm talks — bringing in Hamas first to gauge seriousness — was a smart approach. The fact that principals from Israel and the United States are now joining the process is cause for optimism. Hamas, they argue, appears to have internalized its international isolation and the devastation it has suffered in Gaza and beyond. At the same time, caution is warranted. Trump’s ability to publicly enlist the backing of Qatar and Turkey has been critical, but unless those states decisively turn away from Hamas and Muslim Brotherhood extremism, they cannot be allowed to exploit their participation to gain leverage or spare Hamas from the dissolution envisioned in the Trump plan.” — Mark Dubowitz, CEO

“President Trump has continuously made it clear that there would be little room for negotiations regarding his 20-point ceasefire proposal, and that any such deliberations would be carried out in a matter of days, not weeks or months. Hamas must adhere to the original plan by first and foremost releasing all remaining hostages, both living and deceased, before any meaningful Israeli concessions can be considered. International mediators must make it clear to the group that the Trump plan may be its only diplomatic lifeline, and that continued stalling will accelerate the group’s isolation and destruction.” — Aaron Goren, Research Analyst and Editor

FDD Background and Analysis

“Hamas Must Move Quickly: U.S. Demands Hamas Assent to Gaza Peace Deal Terms in Upcoming Negotiations,” FDD Flash Brief

“‘All Hell Will Break Out’: Trump Gives Hamas Final Ultimatum To Accept 20-Step Ceasefire Proposal for Gaza,” FDD Flash Brief

“Is the Trump plan an outcome or a solution?” by Ben Cohen

“Trump Administration Plan for Gaza Puts Unprecedented and Unified Pressure on Hamas,” by Aaron Goren