US President Donald Trump's envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner arrived in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, on Wednesday morning to participate in the ongoing ceasefire and hostage-deal negotiations, Israeli media reported.
Israeli officials told The Jerusalem Post on Tuesday that they were "cautiously optimistic" at the end of Monday's talks. Additionally, sources cited by the Qatari news network Al Jazeera previously said that the first round of negotiations was “characterized by positivity."
Further, the first phase of the peace plan could be finalized before Friday, provided the current optimistic tone surrounding the negotiations in Sharm el-Sheikh continues, an Egyptian source with knowledge of the matter told the Saudi-owned Asharq Al-Awsat on Tuesday.
Current talks surround less contentious issues
According to sources that spoke to the Post, current discussions are focused on the less contentious issues, where there is broad agreement. The more complex matters are expected to be addressed next.
First round of negotiations with Hamas
During the first phase of negotiations, the roadmap for the current round of talks in Sharm el-Sheikh was determined.
In addition, the sources noted that the Hamas delegation made it clear to the mediators that the continued attacks in the Gaza Strip pose a challenge to the release of the hostages.
A source emphasized that Hamas is committed to reaching an agreement to end the war in the Gaza Strip.
The source also noted that the purpose of the Cairo negotiations is “to begin arranging conditions on the ground in preparation for the release of hostages and Palestinian prisoners.”
The report also claimed that the Hamas delegation included two members who survived the assassination attempt in Qatar: Khalil al-Hayya and Zaher Jabarin.
The Israeli delegation is comprised of Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, Coordinator for Captives and Missing Persons, Brig.-Gen. (Res.) Gal Hirsch, Prime Minister’s Political Advisor, Dr. Ophir Falk, two anonymous officials from the Shin Bet and Mossad, and professional staff from the IDF, Shin Bet, and Mossad.
Director of Turkey's National Intelligence Organization (MIT) Ibrahim Kalin will also attend the ceasefire negotiations on Gaza on Wednesday in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, a senior Turkish official told the Post.
Amichai Stein contributed to this article