US special envoy Steve Witkoff and former President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner are set to join Gaza peace talks in Egypt on Wednesday, as negotiators from Israel and Hamas struggle to reach a breakthrough.
Their involvement follows two days of indirect negotiations between the warring sides that have yet to yield tangible results, according to a senior Palestinian official who spoke to the BBC. The discussions are focused on a five-point agenda: a permanent ceasefire, the release of hostages and prisoners, Israeli troop withdrawal, humanitarian aid, and the post-war governance of Gaza.
Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani, a key mediator, is also expected to attend the talks alongside the head of Turkish intelligence. The Qatari premier’s participation aims to push forward a ceasefire and hostage release deal, Reuters reported.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has remained tight-lipped about the progress of the talks, but in a post on X, he said Israel was in “fateful days of decision.” He reaffirmed Israel’s objectives: the return of all hostages, elimination of Hamas, and ensuring that Gaza no longer poses a threat.
Trump, meanwhile, expressed optimism on the second anniversary of the October 7 Hamas-led attacks, saying there was “a possibility for peace in the Middle East.” He assured reporters the US would “do everything possible to make sure everybody adheres to the deal.”
Hamas negotiator Khalil al-Hayya said the group was ready for a “serious and responsible” dialogue but demanded “real guarantees” from Trump and the international community that the war would not resume.
The conflict, which began after Hamas’s deadly 2023 attack on Israel, has killed over 67,000 people in Gaza, including more than 20,000 children, according to the territory’s health ministry. The UN has warned that more than half a million Gazans face starvation, calling the current moment a “historic opportunity” for peace.
