Arab diplomat says mediators aiming to sign Gaza deal by Thursday: Hebrew media

Mediators are reportedly preparing for an agreement to be signed on Thursday between 'Israel' and Hamas, which would see the immediate release of the remaining living captives in exchange for a Gaza ceasefire.

This, according to an Arab diplomat and a second source familiar with the negotiations in Egypt, who spoke to the Hebrew media outlet "Times of Israel".

Mediators are describing the agreement as the “first phase” of US President Donald Trump’s plan to end the ongoing war, the sources said.

Talks accelerated on Wednesday with the arrival of senior officials from 'Israel' and the United States after Hamas submitted lists of captives and Palestinian detainees to be released in the swap.

Delegations are reportedly expanding their presence in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, where negotiations began on Monday, signaling progress toward a potential ceasefire.

Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner and special envoy Steve Witkoff joined the talks, alongside 'Israeli' Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, a close confidant of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. They are expected to coordinate with Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, a long-standing mediator in regional conflicts.

Sources indicate that the talks mark the closest effort yet to implement Trump’s 20-point plan to halt the war, which has left Gaza in turmoil and heightened international concern over the humanitarian situation.