Israeli and Hamas Negotiators Begin Indirect Talks in Egypt as the IDF Continues To Bomb Gaza

Indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas on the implementation of a potential Gaza ceasefire deal began in Egypt on Monday as the Israeli military continued to launch attacks in Gaza despite President Trump’s calls for a halt to the bombing.

Trump is urging for the negotiations to be quick, warning on Sunday that there would be “massive bloodshed” if a deal isn’t reached. Egyptian sources told Reuters that Hamas is seeking clarification on a few points of the potential plan and wants guarantees that Israel would go through with a withdrawal once they give up their leverage by releasing all the Israeli captives.

According to Egyptian media, the negotiations started with Hamas speaking to Arab mediators, who will then convey their message to the Israeli negotiators. The Israeli side is led by Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, and Hamas is represented by Khalil al-Hayya, whom Israel recently attempted to assassinate in Qatar.