US, ‘Israeli’ delegations head to Cairo for pivotal talks to end Gaza war

In a major diplomatic development, high-level US and ‘Israeli’ delegations are heading to Cairo to launch decisive negotiations aimed at implementing the US-brokered plan for a prisoner exchange and ending the war in Gaza.

The move follows Hamas’ acceptance of the proposal and comes amid unprecedented American pressure on Tel Aviv, with President Donald Trump explicitly calling on ‘Israel’ to “immediately stop bombing Gaza” to ensure the success of the deal.

Diplomatic Momentum Builds as Witkoff and Dermer Lead Negotiations

Hebrew media reported that “marathon contacts” took place overnight between Washington and Tel Aviv to accelerate the talks. The US delegation will be led by Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, with Jared Kushner possibly joining, while the ‘Israeli’ side will be represented by Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer.

Simultaneously, a Hamas official told AFP that Egypt will host a “Palestinian internal dialogue” to discuss Gaza’s future governance, stressing the movement’s readiness to “start negotiations immediately to resolve all outstanding issues.”

Deal Details: Prisoner Exchange and Ceasefire

According to Asharq, the proposal approved by Hamas includes the following terms:

• ‘Israel’ will release 250 Palestinian detainees serving life sentences.
• More than 1,700 detainees arrested after October 7 will also be freed.

Although Hamas has not detailed its reciprocal commitments, the overall framework suggests the group would release all remaining ‘Israeli’ captives held in Gaza.

Key Takeaways from the Emerging Diplomatic Push

Direct US Pressure: President Trump’s public demand that Tel Aviv “halt the bombing of Gaza immediately” marks a significant shift in Washington’s stance, from unconditional support to overt pressure on Netanyahu’s government to make concessions necessary for the success of the US-led initiative.

Cautious Optimism: Despite the positive momentum, there is caution on the ‘Israeli’ side. Channel 12 noted that Tel Aviv expects the timeline for the captives’ release could “extend and become more complex” depending on developments on the ground.

Strengthened Hamas Position: Hamas’ approval of the proposal, coupled with US pressure on Tel Aviv, strengthens the group’s negotiating position, particularly as talks are linked to internal Palestinian dialogue on Gaza’s future governance.

President Trump underscored the significance of the moment, declaring that “this is not just about Gaza, it’s about peace in the Middle East,” adding, “We are very close to ending the war.”