Indirect negotiations between Israeli & Hamas delegations have begun in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.
Trump Predicts Gaza Deal Soon as US-Led Ceasefire Talks Begin. US President Donald Trump said on Monday that a deal to end the Gaza conflict could be reached soon, citing “tremendous progress.” Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump confirmed that the US is working closely with its partners to finalize a plan aimed at stopping the war, releasing hostages, and delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza.
While yesterday, Israel has killed at least 24 Palestinians in Gaza ahead of US brokered ceasefire talks in Egypt.
In July 2025, President Trump claimed that Israel had agreed to a two-month ceasefire in Gaza after 20 months of continuous military aggression.
Talks Underway in Egypt
Indirect negotiations between Israeli and Hamas delegations have begun in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. Mediators from Egypt, Qatar, and the US are present. These talks mark the most serious effort in months to bring an end to the two-year war that began after Hamas’s 2023 attack on Israel, which killed 1,200 people and saw 251 taken hostage.
Broad Support for Trump’s Plan
Trump’s proposed plan has received support from both Israel and Hamas, as well as Arab and Western countries. The deal would be implemented in phases, starting with a ceasefire and the release of hostages. Trump said on social media that he expects the first phase to be completed within the week, urging all sides to move quickly.
Details Still Under Dispute
Despite the optimism, major issues remain unresolved. Hamas is seeking guarantees that Israel will withdraw from Gaza if hostages are released. Israeli officials say the initial focus will be solely on recovering hostages and that troops will not withdraw beyond the so-called Yellow Line — a buffer zone set in Trump’s plan. Future withdrawals would depend on conditions agreed in later stages of the deal.
On the Ground in Gaza
Gaza remains under heavy bombardment. In the past 24 hours, 19 Palestinians were reported killed – a lower figure than in recent weeks, suggesting a possible reduction in Israeli strikes. But residents say the humanitarian situation is dire. More than 67,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war began, and over two million are now homeless and starving.
Displaced resident Gharam Muhammad, 20, described the desperation: “If there is a deal, we are saved. If there is not, it feels like we have been sentenced to death.”
Divisions in Israel
Inside Israel, public pressure to bring hostages home is growing. However, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing allies are resisting a full ceasefire, demanding continued military pressure on Hamas. Still, the Israeli negotiation team, including Mossad and Shin Bet officials, has traveled to Egypt. Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer is expected to join later this week.
Skepticism Remains
Despite Trump’s push for a rapid breakthrough, insiders warn that completing even the first phase could take days. One Palestinian official said the lack of trust is a major barrier. Hamas and other groups fear Israel might abandon the deal after recovering the hostages, leaving Gaza devastated and occupied.
An official involved in the ceasefire process also noted that Trump’s 72-hour timeline for returning hostages may be unrealistic, especially if some remain missing or buried under rubble.
While both sides appear more engaged than before, the outcome remains uncertain. Trump continues to position himself as the only leader capable of ending the war, but the deep mistrust between the parties – and the pressure from hardliners on both sides – could still derail the process.
