Tel Aviv – Israeli Channel 12 reported that Tel Aviv expects to conclude a ceasefire and prisoner-exchange deal by the end of the week if ongoing negotiations proceed according to the U.S.-backed plan.
However, if talks falter, Washington is reportedly preparing to impose a final settlement based on a “take-it-or-leave-it” formula, signalling a growing impatience with both sides and a desire to bring the Gaza war to a close under its own terms.
Day Two of Talks: Positions Exchanged, Key Figures Absent
According to Channel 12, the second day of negotiations focused primarily on outlining each side’s positions, while key American envoys Brett McGurk and Jared Kushner had not yet arrived in Egypt. Israeli Minister Ron Dermer was also absent from the discussions, as reported by local media.
A source familiar with the process told the channel:
“We are preparing to announce the agreement early next week, with signing expected by the end of the week—unless unexpected developments occur.”
The report added that Israel remains uneasy about Hamas’s potential demands concerning prisoner-release lists, withdrawal lines, and the timetable for releasing detainees, issues that have previously delayed progress.
Hamas Sets Firm Conditions
During Tuesday’s round, Hamas reiterated that the final Israeli captive would not be released until the complete withdrawal of occupation forces from the Gaza Strip.
Channel 12 noted that Israel insists on receiving all living captives on a single day, while Hamas is pressing for the release of senior Palestinian prisoners, including Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti, a move Israel has so far firmly rejected.
Tel Aviv fears this demand could provoke Hamas to adopt a tougher negotiation stance, particularly as President Donald Trump expects visible progress within days and wants to showcase a breakthrough under his administration.
Hamas: “We Need Real Guarantees, Not Empty Promises”
In a televised statement to Cairo News Channel, Khalil al-Hayya, head of Hamas’s negotiating delegation, detailed the ongoing talks in Sharm el-Sheikh aimed at reaching a ceasefire and prisoner-exchange deal under Trump’s plan.
Al-Hayya said:
“Israel has repeatedly broken its promises to stop the war on Gaza. We demand genuine guarantees from the international community, from President Trump himself, and from all sponsoring nations to ensure the aggression ends permanently.”
He reaffirmed that Hamas remains “fully prepared and responsible” to reach an agreement that achieves an end to the war, Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza, and the release of all Israeli captives—alive or deceased—in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, as outlined in the Trump framework.
Continued Aggression Despite Hamas’s Endorsement
Despite Hamas’s public approval of the Trump vision on 3 October, al-Hayya lamented that Israel has continued its killings and aid restrictions, particularly in northern Gaza.
He recalled that Israel previously violated the first ceasefire agreement in November 2023 and resumed its assault this year even while negotiations were ongoing, reaffirming that “the occupation has never honoured its promises throughout history.”
Strategic Implications
The latest developments reveal that the United States is steering the Gaza file with unprecedented assertiveness, seeking to impose a political settlement that cements its influence while ensuring Israel’s strategic interests. Yet, Hamas’s insistence on full withdrawal, credible guarantees, and the inclusion of long-detained Palestinian leaders highlights that the movement is negotiating from a position of resilience rather than desperation.
As the Sharm el-Sheikh talks progress under the pressure of U.S. deadlines, the question remains whether this “take-it-or-leave-it” offer will truly end the war—or simply mark the beginning of a new phase of political struggle for Gaza’s future.
