US President Donald Trump said he may travel to the Middle East as early as Sunday to support what he described as “very encouraging” progress in talks aimed at ending the devastating Gaza war, which began following Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel.
“Negotiations are going along very well,” Trump told reporters at the White House. “I may go there sometime toward the end of the week, maybe on Sunday… ‘Peace for the Middle East,’ that’s a beautiful phrase, and we hope it’s going to come true.”
Trump Peace Plan at the Center of Talks
The negotiations are built around Trump’s 20-point peace proposal, which calls for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages held in Gaza, the disarmament of Hamas, and a phased Israeli military withdrawal from the territory. The plan also includes provisions for long-term regional stability, backed by international guarantees.
Both Israel and Hamas have responded positively to the proposal, raising hopes for a breakthrough after nearly two years of war that has devastated Gaza and left Israeli society deeply scarred.
International Delegations in Egypt
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has extended an invitation to Trump to visit Egypt should a deal be reached. Senior U.S. figures — including Jared Kushner and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff — have arrived in Sharm El-Sheikh to join the negotiations.
Mediators from Qatar and Turkey, including Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin, are also taking part. Delegations from Palestinian factions such as Islamic Jihad and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine have joined Hamas in the discussions.
Atmosphere of Hope in Gaza — But Bombing Continues
As night fell on the coastal enclave of Al-Mawasi in southern Gaza, scenes of anticipation and cautious celebration emerged. Residents chanted “Allahu Akbar” and fired shots into the air in hopes that the war may finally be ending.
“We want the war to end as soon as possible,” said Mohammed Zamlot, a 50-year-old displaced from northern Gaza. “We’re closely following every bit of news about the negotiations and the ceasefire.”
Despite the optimism, reports from both Gaza and Israeli border regions indicated that shelling and airstrikes had not stopped, underscoring the fragile state of the ceasefire discussions.
Key Sticking Point: Prisoner Exchange
Hamas has submitted a list of Palestinian prisoners it wants released in the first phase of a potential truce. A notable name is Marwan Barghouti — a senior Fatah figure imprisoned since 2002 — whom Hamas is reportedly pressing to include in the swap.
Barghouti, often dubbed the “Palestinian Mandela,” is viewed by many as a unifying figure and potential future leader of the Palestinian national movement.
In exchange, Hamas is prepared to release the remaining 47 hostages it holds in Gaza — both living and deceased — captured during the October 7, 2023 attack that killed 1,219 people in Israel, mostly civilians, and ignited the current conflict.
Casualties Mount, Global Pressure Builds
Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has killed at least 67,183 people, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry — figures considered credible by the United Nations. The toll includes a large number of women and children, though no distinction between civilians and fighters has been publicly provided.
A recent U.N. investigation accused Israel of committing genocide, while rights groups have accused Hamas of war crimes during the October 7 attack. Both parties have rejected the allegations.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reached catastrophic levels, with a U.N.-declared famine underway, widespread displacement, and entire neighborhoods reduced to rubble. Meanwhile, in Israel, citizens marked the second anniversary of the Hamas attacks with ceremonies and renewed calls for the return of hostages.
Looking Ahead
According to negotiators, discussions now center on Israeli troop withdrawal maps, the sequencing of hostage and prisoner releases, and security guarantees from international actors.
Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya stated the group seeks firm guarantees from the United States and other mediating nations that the war will not resume after a ceasefire is declared.
Trump, speaking confidently about the process, said: “Our final negotiation, as you know, is with Hamas, and it seems to be going well.”
Should a deal be finalized in the coming days, Trump is expected to visit Egypt to mark what could be the most significant diplomatic milestone in the region since the Abraham Accords.
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