Indirect talks between Hamas, Israel begin in Egypt to prepare ground for hostage swap deal

By Hussien Elkabany and Mohammad Sio

CAIRO / ISTANBUL (AA) – Indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas began Monday in Egypt’s Red Sea city of Sharm el-Sheikh to prepare the ground for a prisoner exchange, Egyptian media said.

The state-run Al-Qahera News channel, citing Egyptian sources, said the talks are part of Egypt’s efforts to implement US President Donald Trump’s Gaza ceasefire plan.

“Mediators from Egypt and Qatar are making major efforts to establish a mechanism for the release of prisoners,” the sources added.

An Israeli negotiating team arrived in Sharm el-Sheikh early Monday for the ceasefire talks. The Hamas delegation, headed by the group’s leader Khalil al-Hayya, arrived on Sunday.