Formal ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas are set to begin tonight in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, according to senior Hamas sources who confirmed the development to CNN.
The first official round of talks marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing diplomatic efforts to reach an agreement based on U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed 20-point ceasefire plan.
Prior to the official meeting, Qatari and Egyptian mediators held talks in Cairo with Khalil al-Hayya, the head of the Hamas delegation, in order to resolve the remaining points of contention.
The Israeli side is represented by senior officials, though chief negotiator Ron Dermer is not attending the first session in person. He is expected to join the talks later this week.
Negotiations are taking place in a highly sensitive atmosphere, with key disagreements still unresolved — including the disarmament of Hamas, its future role in Gaza’s administration, and security guarantees for the safe departure of the group’s senior leaders.
Mediators hope that the talks in Sharm el-Sheikh will pave the way for a comprehensive ceasefire framework and the beginning of reconstruction efforts in Gaza, following nearly two years of intense conflict.