Israel and Hamas launch indirect ceasefire talks in Egypt as President Trump’s ultimatum drives an urgent push for hostage release and peace.
In a development that could reshape the Middle East, indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas began Monday in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, with mediators from Egypt and Qatar striving to secure both a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of remaining hostages held by Hamas terrorists.
According to Al-Qahera News, a network tied to Egyptian intelligence, the discussions are focused on “preparing the ground conditions” for a potential exchange of Israeli hostages and terrorist prisoners detained in Israel — a framework reportedly based on US President Donald Trump’s comprehensive peace proposal.
The renewed diplomatic momentum follows President Trump’s high-stakes ultimatum to Hamas over the weekend. In a fiery post on Truth Social, the president warned that “time is of the essence — or massive bloodshed will follow.”
“There have been very positive discussions with Hamas, and countries from all over the world — Arab, Muslim, and everyone else — to release the hostages, end the war in Gaza, and finally bring long-sought peace to the Middle East,” Trump wrote. “These talks have been very successful and are proceeding rapidly. The technical teams will meet again Monday in Egypt to clarify final details. The first phase should be completed this week. I am asking everyone to MOVE FAST.”
Behind the scenes, Egyptian and Qatari mediators are reportedly working to design a mechanism to implement Trump’s deal, which seeks to balance Israel’s security needs with the safe return of captives while dismantling Hamas’s terrorist infrastructure in Gaza.
Trump’s warning came after he cautioned Hamas against defiance, declaring that if the terror group refuses to relinquish control of Gaza, it risks “complete obliteration.” The president also confirmed Friday that Hamas had given a positive initial response to his plan, calling it “a big day” and “an unprecedented step toward real peace.”
Israeli officials, while maintaining operational silence, have privately expressed cautious optimism that Trump’s leverage and regional credibility could deliver what no previous American administration achieved — a ceasefire that protects Israel’s sovereignty, returns the hostages, and breaks Hamas’s grip on Gaza once and for all.
