Trump-Backed Gaza Peace Talks Set to Begin in Egypt: What to Expect
Delegations from the US, Israel, Hamas, and several Middle Eastern countries are scheduled to meet in Cairo, Egypt, on Monday for high-stakes negotiations. The talks aim to pave the way for a ceasefire in Gaza and facilitate the release of hostages held by Hamas.
Trump Optimistic About Progress
President Donald Trump shared updates on Truth Social on Sunday, noting that the negotiations were “proceeding rapidly” ahead of Monday’s meeting. “I am told that the first phase should be completed this week, and I am asking everyone to move fast,” he wrote. Trump has also deployed his top envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, to help push the talks forward.
Two Phases to Ending the Conflict
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio cautioned that while the talks are important, they do not signal an immediate end to the war. Speaking on NBC’s Meet the Press, Rubio outlined a two-phase approach:
Phase One: Finalizing the logistics for hostage release and coordinating immediate humanitarian measures.
Phase Two: Addressing the future governance of Gaza, including the creation of a Palestinian technocratic leadership once Israel withdraws to agreed-upon lines.
“You can’t set up a government structure in Gaza that’s not Hamas in three days. It takes time,” Rubio noted.
Trump, meanwhile, remains hopeful. “We’ll see how it turns out, but I’m hearing it’s going very well,” he said.
Who Is Attending?
The Cairo talks will include senior delegations from:
Israel
Hamas
Qatar
Turkey
Egypt
The goal is to negotiate key issues like Israeli withdrawal lines in Gaza and the names of Palestinian prisoners to be exchanged for the remaining 48 hostages, including up to 20 that Israel believes are still alive.
Even if initial agreements are reached, officials have noted that the nearly two-year-old conflict will not end immediately.
Hamas Leader Survives Israeli Strike
A dramatic twist accompanies the talks: Hamas delegation leader Khalil al-Hayya survived a missile strike by Israel three weeks ago, which killed his son. Al-Hayya made his first public appearance since the attack over the weekend, emphasizing his resolve.
“The deaths of my son and all Palestinians killed in Gaza are both a harsh trial and a badge of honour,” al-Hayya said. “These deaths will fuel our victory and the path to Jerusalem.”
This defiance highlights the complexity of negotiations, despite optimistic statements from Trump.
Hamas Accepts Peace Plan with Conditions
On Friday, Hamas expressed broad acceptance of Trump’s 20-point peace plan aimed at ending the war and rebuilding Gaza. However, acceptance comes with conditions:
The group remains internally divided on disarmament terms.
Senior political leaders like al-Hayya favor the plan, but their control over Hamas’s armed wing is limited.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed hope that a hostages-for-prisoners swap could be finalized this week.
“Our intention, and the intention of our American friends, is to limit these negotiations to a few days,” Netanyahu said.
What to Expect in Cairo
Ceasefire agreements and humanitarian arrangements
Negotiations on prisoner release and hostage exchange
Discussion of post-withdrawal governance in Gaza
Continued pressure from Trump and US envoys to accelerate the process
While the official timeline is flexible, the primary objective remains to secure hostages and prisoners as quickly as possible, according to senior US officials.
The upcoming talks in Cairo mark a critical step toward de-escalating the Gaza conflict, but analysts caution that long-term peace will require careful diplomacy and compromise from all parties.
Gaza Peace Talks 2025: Key Points & Timeline
When: Monday, Cairo, Egypt
Timeline:
Phase 1: Immediate logistics, hostage release, and initial ceasefire coordination (expected this week)
Phase 2: Post-withdrawal governance in Gaza, including a technocratic leadership setup
Participants:
United States: President Trump, envoys Steve Witkoff & Jared Kushner
Israel: Senior officials led by PM Benjamin Netanyahu
Hamas: Led by Khalil al-Hayya
Middle Eastern Mediators: Qatar, Turkey, Egypt
Objectives:
Hostage Release: Identify Palestinian prisoners for swap, including 48 hostages (20 believed alive by Israel)
Ceasefire Agreement: Define Israeli withdrawal lines and temporary security measures
Humanitarian Relief: Facilitate aid delivery in Gaza
Long-Term Governance: Plan for non-Hamas Palestinian administration post-withdrawal
Challenges:
Hamas is internally divided between political leaders and the armed wing
Surviving Israeli strike on Khalil al-Hayya adds tension
Negotiations may take longer than planned despite the push for rapid resolution
Key Statements:
Trump: “I am told that the first phase should be completed this week… Let’s get this done, FAST.”
Rubio: “You can’t set up a government structure in Gaza that’s not Hamas in three days. It takes time.”
Netanyahu: “Our intention is to limit these negotiations to a few days.”
Bottom Line:
While initial agreements on ceasefire and hostages may be reached quickly, full resolution of the Gaza conflict will require further detailed negotiations and international cooperation.
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