Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, 8 October 2025 — The United States’ top Middle East adviser, the Prime Minister of Qatar, and other senior regional officials joined the third day of indirect peace talks between Israel and Hamas on Wednesday, signaling a shift toward tackling the most contentious aspects of a proposed American plan to end the war in Gaza.
High-Level Participation
The expanded talks, held in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, brought together U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, and senior Israeli and Hamas representatives. Their presence reflects mounting international pressure to secure a breakthrough after nearly two years of conflict that has left tens of thousands dead and much of Gaza in ruins.
The American Plan
The framework, advanced by President Donald Trump, calls for:
- An immediate ceasefire.
- The release of all hostages held in Gaza.
- A gradual Israeli military withdrawal.
- The disarmament of Hamas.
- The creation of an international body to oversee Gaza’s governance after the war.
While both Israel and Hamas have responded positively in principle, negotiators remain divided over the timing of troop withdrawals, the mechanism for prisoner-hostage exchanges, and guarantees that hostilities will not resume.
Challenges Ahead
Hamas negotiators have demanded firm assurances that Israel will not restart its military campaign once hostages are released, while Israel has insisted on Hamas’s disarmament and security guarantees. Mediators from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey are working to bridge these gaps, with discussions now focusing on maps of withdrawal zones and phased exchanges.
Outlook
Diplomatic observers describe this round as the most serious attempt yet to halt the war, though obstacles remain formidable. As talks continue, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepens, with the UN warning of famine and families of Israeli hostages pressing for swift action.
The coming days are expected to determine whether the negotiations can move from tentative progress to a binding agreement, potentially reshaping the trajectory of the conflict.
