Witkoff, Kushner accession; He says Hamas is a hostage, lists of prisoners exchanged with Israel
President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner will join Gaza talks in Egypt on Wednesday, where Hamas said the two sides took an initial step toward a key point in the US plan to end the devastating war.
The arrival of the US delegation, as well as mediator leader Qatar, comes after a second day of indirect talks as Israel and the Palestinians mourned the two-year anniversary of the October 7 attacks and the brutal conflict that followed.
Hamas issued a statement on Wednesday saying that a list of Palestinian prisoners to be released under a deal had been submitted to Israel.
The armed group said: “The mediators are making great efforts to remove any obstacles to implementing the ceasefire, and a spirit of optimism prevails among everyone.”
The release of the remaining hostages held in Gaza and 1,950 Palestinian prisoners are key parts of Trump’s 20 degree proposal.
Israel has not yet commented on Hamas’ statement.
Greater Hamas leader Khalil al-Haya said on Tuesday that the group had come “to engage in serious and responsible negotiations.”
He told Hamas to reach a deal, but it needed a “guarantee” to end the war and ensure “it doesn’t happen again.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not comment on the status of the talks, but he told Israelis on Tuesday that they are in “fateful days of decision.”
Trump expressed optimism about the talks, telling reporters in Washington that there was “a possibility that we could get peace in the Middle East.”
Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed Abdul Rahman Al Thani is also set to join the talks taking place in the Egyptian resort of Sharm El Sheikh.
Qatar wants international guarantees, led by the United States, that what is being negotiated in Egypt will lead to Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza, the entry of more aid, and a permanent end to the war.
Israel continued its assault on Gaza while the talks were taking place. Its military campaign has killed more than 67,000 people, reducing much of the enclave to rubble after the October 7, 2023 attacks by Hamas, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 were taken to Gaza as hostages.
There were somber gatherings across Israel on Tuesday to mark the attacks, including in the south of the country where families and friends paid respects to the more than 370 victims killed at the Nova Music Festival.
Meanwhile, Palestinians reflect on two years of brutal conflict and their hopes for an end to the devastation.
Alaa Abu Daraz and her children left their home in eastern Gaza on October 7, and two years later they have still not returned, living on the streets while they plead for safety.
“Our children were left on the streets, without a tent, no shelter, not even a blanket,” she told NBC News this week. “We have managed summer and survived the heat, but winter is unbearable; one cannot live or do anything in these conditions.”
Israel faced mounting global isolation over its aggression.
The Israeli army intercepted on Wednesday, days after detaining activists on board, the Israeli army days after detaining activists on board, food.
Eight American citizens were “likely kidnapped” by Israeli forces while in international waters, the Freedly Flotilla Coalition said Wednesday.