President Donald Trump he may travel to the Middle East this weekend as his negotiators seek to seal a Gaza hostages-for-ceasefire deal.
US envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff and Trump’s former advisor Jared Kushner arrived in Egypt on Wednesday, as officials indicated that progress is being made in Gaza peace talks.
Trump said he could see “peace for the Middle East sometime toward the end of the week,” as he affirmed “there's a very good chance negotiations are going along very well.”
Hamas and Israel on Wednesday exchanged lists of prisoners and hostages to be released as part of a potential agreement, according to senior Hamas official Taher Al-Nounou.
He expressed optimism about reaching a deal, saying that the group had were positive about a ceasefire as discussions continued in Sharm el-Sheikh.
A senior US official told Axios that Witkoff and Kushner would not leave the discussions until a deal had been struck that would secure the release of hostages captured by Hamas in the October 7 attacks.
Key Points
- In pictures: Rubio shares note with Trump saying Middle East deal is 'very close' asking him to approve Truth Social post
- Hamas and Israel exchange prisoners and hostages list as progress made
- Hamas demands body of leader Yahya Sinwar in hostage exchange deal
- Hamas sets out conditions for ceasefire
- Israel 'attacks' new Gaza aid flotilla
- Meloni says she was reported to ICC for alleged complicity in genocide
Trump says Israel peace deal ‘very close’ after Rubio slips him note as president reveals possible Gaza visit
22:43 , Bryony Gooch
Rubio slips Trump note that peace deal ‘very close’ as Trump says he may visit Gaza
In pictures: Rubio shares note with Trump saying Middle East deal is 'very close' asking him to approve Truth Social post
22:40 , Bryony Gooch
Trump says he 'probably will' go to Gaza
22:35 , Bryony GoochAsked if he would go to Gaza, President Donald Trump said: “I would. I might do that. I may do that. We haven't decided exactly I'll be going to Egypt.
“Most likely, that's where everybody is gathered right now, and we appreciate that very much. But I'll be making the rounds as the expression goes. I probably will."
Rubio tells Trump 'we're very close to a deal in the Middle East'
22:32 , Bryony GoochDonald Trump was told by Marco Rubio that a deal in the Middle East is imminent, he told reporters.
“I was just given a note by the Secretary of State saying that we're very close to a deal in the Middle East, and they're going to need me pretty quickly,” Trump said.
According to a photograph of the note, it read: “We need you to approve a Truth Social post soon so you can announce deal first.”
Trump reportedly asked to approve Truth Social post about Middle East deal during meeting
22:28 , Bryony GoochUS Secretary of State Marco Rubio handed a note to President Donald Trump during an unrelated meeting at the White House on Wednesday requesting Trump to give his OK to a social post related to a Middle East deal, the Associated Press reported.
“You need to approve a Truth Social post soon so you can announce deal first," read the hand-scrawled note on White House stationery, according to the AP.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
‘Glimmer of hope’: Families in Gaza and Israel hold breath over Trump’s peace plan to end bloodshed
22:00 , Maira ButtCivilians in Gaza and families of hostages in Israel said they were holding onto “a glimmer of hope” for a peace plan, as Israel continued to pound the Strip despite Donald Trump urging for an immediate ceasefire.
Bel Trew and Nedal Hamdouna report:
Families in Gaza hold breath over Trump’s peace plan to end bloodshed
Trump suggests 'peace for the Middle East' by end of the week
20:58 , Bryony GoochPresident Donald Trump has given an update about the potential peace deal between Israel and Hamas.
"I was just dealing with people from the Middle East, our people and other people on the potential peace deal for the Middle East, peace for the Middle East sometime toward the end of the week, phrase, and we hope it's going to come true, but it's very close, and they're doing very well.
“We have a great team over there, great negotiators, and they're, unfortunately, great negotiators on the other side also, but it's something I think that will happen. Got a good chance of happening. I may go there sometime toward the end of the week, maybe on Sunday, actually, and we'll see."
"But there's a very good chance negotiations are going along very well. We're dealing with Hamas and many of the countries, as you know, we have Muslim all of the Muslim countries are included. All of the Arab countries are included, very rich countries, and some that are not so rich, but just about everybody is included.
“It's never happened before. Nothing like that's happened before. In our final negotiation, as you know, is with Hamas. Hamas, and it seems to be going well. So, we'll let you know if that's the case, we'll be leaving, probably, on Sunday, maybe Saturday, maybe a little, a little later than Saturday evening, but that seems to be our schedule."
Meloni says she was reported to ICC for alleged complicity in genocide
20:01 , Maira ButtItalian prime minister Giorgia Meloni has revealed that she has been reported to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged complicity in genocide in connection with Israel's offensive in Gaza.
Two of Ms Meloni’s ministers have also been reported to the ICC, she revealed on Tuesday.
Speaking with state television broadcaster RAI, Ms Meloni said defence minister Guido Crosetto and foreign minister Antonio Tajani had been denounced, and "I think" also Roberto Cingolani, the head of defence group Leonardo.
"I don't believe there is another case like this in the world or in history," Ms Meloni said.
Negotiations focused on three issues
19:30 , Sam RkainaHamas says the indirect negotiations are focused so far on just three issues.
These include halting the conflict, withdrawing Israeli forces from Gaza and the swap deal.
The group has so far refused to discuss one of the biggest sticking points: Israel's demand that Hamas give up its weapons, which the Palestinian source said Hamas would reject as long as Israeli troops occupy Palestinian land.
Hamas seeks release of highest profile prisoners held in Israel
19:00 , Sam RkainaHamas, the militant group that precipitated the war by attacking Israeli territory two years ago, said it had handed over its lists of hostages and Palestinian prisoners to be exchanged in a swap, and was optimistic about the talks so far.
The list of Palestinians Hamas wants freed is expected to include some of the most prominent prisoners ever jailed by Israel, whose release had been off limits in previous ceasefires.
According to a Palestinian source close to the talks, the list includes Marwan al-Barghouti, a leader of the Fatah movement, and Ahmed Saadat, head of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.
Both are serving multiple life sentences for attacks that killed Israelis.
Israel dials down attacks - but completely
18:30 , Sam RkainaWithin Gaza, Israel has dialled down its military campaign at Trump's behest, though it has not halted strikes altogether.
Gaza medical authorities reported eight people killed in Israeli strikes in the last 24 hours, the lowest toll for weeks.
Daily death tolls had been around 10 times as high over the past month as Israeli forces pressed one of their biggest campaigns of the war, dynamiting neighbourhoods as they advance in an all-out assault on Gaza City.
“We hope from God that a ceasefire would take place as soon as possible, because people can't bear the suffering anymore,” said Jehad al-Shagnobi, whose house was destroyed in the Sabra district of Gaza City.
“The suffering is great, people can't breathe anymore. We hope from God that the negotiations take place today and are successful.”
Witkoff and Kushner arrive in Sharm el-Sheikh
18:00 , Maira ButtDonald Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and the president's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, arrived in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, to participate in the ongoing ceasefire and hostage-deal negotiations on Wednesday.
They will be joined by Qatari prime minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani at the Red Sea resort to negotiate the plan proposed by Mr Trump last week that aims to bring about an end to Israel's two-year-long war in Gaza.
They will also be joined by Hamas’s chief negotiator, Khalil Al-Khayya.
Talks making 'a lot of headway' Turkey says
17:30 , Sam RkainaTurkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Wednesday that negotiations to stop the war in Gaza had made “a lot of headway”.
Fidan added that a ceasefire would be declared if they reached a positive outcome.
The minister added that the talks in Egypt, in which Ankara is taking part, are focused on securing a ceasefire, exchanging hostages and prisoners, allowing more aid and coordinating a timetable for a withdrawal of Israeli forces.
Qatar demands 'written international guarantees' from Israel
17:00 , Maira ButtQatar has demanded “strong, written international guarantees” to ensure Israel carries out its obligations under the proposed ceasefire agreement to end Israel's two-year-long offensive in Gaza.
Foreign ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari told Al-Arabiya that Qatar wants to ensure that what is currently being negotiated in Egypt will lead to Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza, the entry of more aid, and a permanent end to the war.
He said that the parties have agreed on 20 principles but "the devil is in the details, as they say in English".
Mr Ansari told reporters, "I have no doubt that this round of negotiations is a process in which all parties are strongly committed to reaching a consensus, but there are many details to consider."
The statement comes ahead of Qatari prime minister Sheikh Mohammed Abdulrahman Al Thani's visit to Egypt today, where he will join the indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas.
What are the sticking points that could sink Trump’s peace plan for Gaza?
16:11 , Maira ButtHamas and Israel are engaging in talks for a ceasefire this week – but huge gaps remain between them on crucial issues.
Alex Croft reports:
What are the sticking points that could sink Trump’s Gaza peace plan?
Who is the Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar? The leader whose body Hamas has requested in its peace talks with Israel
15:35 , Maira Butt
Who is Yahya Sinwar? The October 7 attack mastermind killed by Israel
Hamas demands body of leader Yahya Sinwar in hostage exchange deal
15:05 , Maira ButtIsrael and Hamas have exchanged a list of prisoners and hostages they want released.
On Hamas’ list is the body of its former leaders, Yahya and Mohammed Sinwar, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Israel has traditionally resisted the demand to return the bodies of senior Hamas leaders.
Discussions continue in Egypt with the body of one hostage released in exchange for the bodies of 15 Palestinians, according to reports.
Babies forced to share oxygen masks as Israel denies transfer of incubators, says UNICEF
14:45 , Maira ButtIsrael is denying permission to transfer incubators from an evacuated hospital in northern Gaza, adding strain to overcrowded hospitals in the south of the Strip where babies are sharing oxygen masks, the UN Children’s Agency, UNICEF, said on Thursday, as per Reuters.
Israel has denied the claim and said it has allowed the transfer of medical equipment from the north to the south.
The World Health Organisation estimates that one fifth of all Gaza newborns are now premature or underweight due to stress and malnourishment of pregnant mothers.
"We've been trying to recover incubators from a hospital that was evacuated in the north, and we've had four missions denied simply to get those incubators," James Elders, UNICEF spokesperson told Reuters.
COGAT, the arm of the Israeli military overseeing aid, said that the UN’s data was categorically wrong.
“The transfer of medical equipment from hospitals in the north to those in the south is being facilitated in accordance with hospital requests,” it said.
US Secretary of State to attend Paris meeting on Gaza transition, say sources
13:45 , Maira ButtMarco Rubio, US Secretary of State, is expected to attend a meeting on Thursday between European, Arab and other states to discuss a post-Gaza transition, sources told Reuters on Wednesday.
It will take place parallel to negotiations between Israel, Hamas, the US and Qatar that are taking place in Egypt this week.
Trump asked Turkey to persuade Hamas, says Erdogan
13:15 , Maira ButtTurkish President Tayyip Erdogan has said that US President Donald Trump asked him to help persuade Hamas to accept his 20-point plan.
“Peace is not a bird with a single wing,” he said.
“Putting the entire burden of peace on Hamas and Palestinians is not a fair, correct or realistic approach.”
In pictures: Israel continues to bomb Gaza as eight killed in military strikes
12:51 , Maira ButtAt least one person was killed near a food distribution site in southern Gaza. At least eight people have been killed in Israeli attacks, with 61 others injured in the last 24 hours, as talks continue in Egypt.
Read Donald Trump’s 20-point Gaza peace plan in full
12:46 , Maira Butt
Trump’s 20-point Gaza plan in full, including ‘Board of Peace’ and Tony Blair’s role
The critical difference that means peace is closer than ever in Israel-Hamas talks
12:17 , Maira ButtTwo years into one of the bloodiest conflicts of our time, negotiators representing Israel and Hamas sat down for a second day of indirect peace talks in the Egyptian resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh.
Both sides are scrutinising a 20-point peace plan proposed by US president Donald Trump, as they take part in talks that senior officials briefed on the discussions told The Independent are “the closest we’ve ever been” to the end of the war.
The deal – originally 21 points long – was first presented to leaders from Arab and Muslim-majority countries in New York last month. It was changed at the 11th hour, which initially caused confusion and concern in some quarters that the process might collapse before it had started.
Bel Trew reports:
This critical difference puts Israel-Hamas peace closer than ever
Israel's Ben-Gvir calls for 'Gaza victory' at Al-Aqsa mosque
11:27 , Maira ButtFar-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visited the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound on Wednesday to make a speech about “victory” over Gaza.
The site is one of the most sensitive and contentious in the region and is a holy site for both Muslims and Jewish people.
Ben-Gvir declared that Israel was “winning” and urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to pursue “complete victory” over Hamas.
“Every house in Gaza has a picture of the Temple Mount, and today, two years later, we are winning on the Temple Mount. We are the owners of the Temple Mount,” he said in a video released by his Jewish Power Party.
“I only pray that our prime minister will allow a complete victory in Gaza as well – to destroy Hamas, with God's help we will return the hostages, and we will win a complete victory.”
UK arms exports to Israel reach record high
11:13 , Maira ButtAs peace talks get underway in Egypt, it has been revealed that UK arms received by Israel reached a record high in 2025, according to a new report by Channel 4.
Data analysis of Israel Tax Authority customs data found that Israel imported nearly £1m worth of UK munitions in the first nine months of 2025.
It is more than double the amount received by the Israeli state in any of the previous three years.
The precise nature of the items wasn’t specified, but the arms were listed under a category that included bombs, grenades, torpedoes, missiles, and ammunition.
Can Trump win the Nobel Peace Prize – and who nominated him?
10:47 , Maira ButtPresident Donald Trump is waiting to hear if his dream will come true this week - whether his nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize becomes a reality.
He doesn’t have much longer to hold on - the announcement will be made on Friday.
He’s been very visible in international diplomacy. So can he win?
Can Trump win the Nobel Peace Prize – and who nominated him?
Two years of unprecedented bloodshed in Gaza: ‘Our greatest hope is that this nightmare will end’
10:20 , Maira Buttor two years, the people of Gaza have endured one of the most devastating bombardments and humanitarian catastrophes of our time.
Israel’s offensive and siege of the enclave, launched in the bloody aftermath of Hamas’s October 7 attacks, has killed more than 67,000 people, including at least 19,000 children, according to local officials.
A United Nations-backed global hunger monitor has concluded that the bombing and blockade have led to famine spreading across the strip.
Bel Trew and Nedal Hamdouna report:
Two years of unprecedented bloodshed in Gaza: ‘Our biggest hope? This nightmare ends’
Egyptian president hearing 'very encouraging things' from Gaza talks
10:01 , Maira ButtEgypt’s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi has provided an update on Gaza peace talks on Wednesday.
He said he had been hearing “very encouraging things” as discussions on a ceasefire and end to the conflict continues.
Disarmament a sticking point for Israel and Hamas
09:45 , Maira ButtHamas and Israel continue to disagree about disarmament, according to reports.
Israeli cabinet member Zeev Elkin reiterated his expectation for Hamas to disarm, he told the country’s public broadcaster, according to Al Jazeera.
Meanwhile, Hamas told Israel to “lower their expectations a lot in this regard” in an interview with Drop Site News.
Hamas and Israel negotiators swap prisoner lists as progress made
09:01 , Bel TrewNegotiators from Hamas and Israel have exchanged lists of prisoners and hostages who will be released once a deal is reached, according to senior Hamas official Taher Al-Nounou.
Mr Al-Nounou expressed optimism about reaching the deal saying that the group had demonstrated positivity during ongoing Gaza talks in Egypt on Wednesday.
“Negotiations focused on the mechanisms for implementing the end of the war, the withdrawal of the occupation forces from the Gaza Strip, and the exchange of prisoners,” he said.
“The lists of prisoners required to be released were exchanged today according to the agreed-upon criteria and numbers. Indirect negotiations continue today with the participation of all parties and mediators.”
Israel prevents new aid flotilla from reaching Gaza and says activists will be deported
08:18 , Maira Butt
Qatar demands 'written international guarantees' from Israel
07:40 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarQatar has demanded “strong, written international guarantees” to ensure Israel carries out its obligations under the proposed ceasefire agreement to end Israel's two-year-long offensive in Gaza.
Foreign ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari told Al-Arabiya that Qatar wants to ensure that what is currently being negotiated in Egypt will lead to Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza, the entry of more aid, and a permanent end to the war.
He said that the parties have agreed on 20 principles but "the devil is in the details, as they say in English".
Mr Ansari told reporters, "I have no doubt that this round of negotiations is a process in which all parties are strongly committed to reaching a consensus, but there are many details to consider."
The statement comes ahead of Qatari prime minister Sheikh Mohammed Abdulrahman Al Thani's visit to Egypt today, where he will join the indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas.
Israeli forces intercept Gaza-bound aid flotilla
07:31 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Witkoff and Kushner arrive in Sharm el-Sheikh
06:40 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarDonald Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and the president's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, have arrived in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, to participate in the ongoing ceasefire and hostage-deal negotiations.
They will be joined by Qatari prime minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani at the Red Sea resort to negotiate the plan proposed by Mr Trump last week that aims to bring about an end to Israel's two-year-long war in Gaza.
PM Ibrahim demands release of Malaysians on Gaza aid flotilla
06:21 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarMalaysian prime minister Anwar Ibrahim this morning strongly condemned the Israeli military after it intercepted several boats carrying aid to Gaza, and demanded that Malaysian activists taking part in the flotilla mission be released.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), which is attempting to break Israel's maritime blockade on Gaza, said its vessels were "under attack" by the Israeli military.
"The act of detaining a humanitarian ship carrying aid for the people of Gaza is inhumane and abuses the fundamental principles of human rights and universal human dignity," Mr Ibrahim said on X.
"I demand that all Malaysian activists and volunteers be released immediately, given appropriate protection, and not mistreated throughout their detention period."
Students stage pro-Palestinian rallies
06:10 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarHundreds of students staged pro-Palestinian protests around the UK on the second anniversary of Hamas’s deadly raids on Israel and days after two people were killed at a synagogue in Manchester.
Demonstrators in London, Sheffield and Edinburgh defied calls to call off their action out of respect for the Jewish community following Thursday’s knife attack.
They rejected the prime minister’s claim that holding demonstrations so soon was “un-British”, instead chanting slogans of solidarity with Palestinians. Sir Keir Starmer had said the timing of the protests showed “little respect for others”.
More here.
Students rally for Palestine on anniversary of Hamas’s deadly attack on Israel
Israel 'attacks' new Gaza aid flotilla
05:50 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarThe Gaza Freedom Flotilla said this morning that its vessels were under attack by the Israeli military after several of its boats were intercepted by Benjamin Netanyahu's forces.
The Israeli military was jamming signals with at least two boats being boarded, the flotilla said on Instagram."The Israeli military has no legal jurisdiction over international waters. Our flotilla poses no harm," the flotilla said in a social media post.
"We carry vital aid worth over $110,000 in medicines, respiratory equipment, and nutritional supplies that were destined for Gaza’s starving hospitals."
The Israeli foreign ministry said the new flotilla that attempted to break the maritime blockade on Gaza has been prevented from realising its goal.
"Another futile attempt to breach the legal naval blockade and enter a combat zone ended in nothing," the Israeli foreign ministry said on X.
"The vessels and the passengers are transferred to an Israeli port. All the passengers are safe and in good health. The passengers are expected to be deported promptly."
Inside the Hamas-Israel talks on Trump’s peace deal for Gaza
05:30 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarTwo years into one of the bloodiest conflicts of our time, negotiators representing Israel and Hamas sat down for a second day of indirect peace talks in the Egyptian resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh.
Both sides are scrutinising a 20-point peace plan proposed by US president Donald Trump, as they take part in talks that senior officials briefed on the discussions told The Independent are “the closest we’ve ever been” to the end of the war.
The deal – originally 21 points long – was first presented to leaders from Arab and Muslim-majority countries in New York last month. It was changed at the 11th hour, which initially caused confusion and concern in some quarters that the process might collapse before it had started.
Bel Trew reports.
Gaza peace talks: Inside the Israel-Hamas negotiations in Egypt
Israel 'cautiously optimistic', says Netanyahu's office
05:15 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarIsrael is "cautiously optimistic" about the Donald Trump-brokered ceasefire talks, prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office told reporters as peace talks resumed in Egypt this week.
Mr Netanyahu has accepted Mr Trump's plan, which calls for the immediate release of the hostages. The plan also calls for Gaza to be placed under international governance and for Hamas to be disarmed, elements the militants have yet to accept.
Sources at the prime minister's office told The Jerusalem Post that current discussions are focused on the less contentious issues, where there is broad agreement.
The more complex matters are expected to be addressed next, likely when the US team and the Qatari prime minister join the talks in Egypt on Wednesday.
In pics: Demonstrator set fire to a sign depicting Donald Trump with the US and Israeli flags during a march in Colombia
04:57 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Hamas sets out conditions for ceasefire
04:52 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarHamas said on Tuesday that it is ready to reach a deal to end the war in Gaza based on US president Donald Trump's plan, but set out a number of conditions including the immediate and complete withdrawal of Israeli forces.
The talks are set to be ramped up on Wednesday with US mediators and Qatar's PM heading to Egypt to join the indirect negotiations between the Palestinian militant group and Israel.
Khalil Al-Hayya, who is leading Hamas's negotiating team, told Egyptian state-affiliated Al Qahera News TV on Tuesday that the group had come "to engage in serious and responsible negotiations".
He said Hamas was ready to reach a deal, yet it needed a "guarantee" to end the war and ensure "it is not repeated".Mr Al-Hayya said Hamas seeks to achieve a comprehensive ceasefire and a complete prisoner exchange deal that includes all prisoners from both sides.
He added that the Palestinian delegation came to the discussions carrying the "aspirations of the Palestinian people for stability, freedom, and the establishment of their independent state".
Senior Hamas leader Fawzi Barhoum, in a televised statement, said: "The (Hamas) movement's delegation participating in the current negotiations in Egypt is working to overcome all obstacles to reaching an agreement that meets the aspirations of our people in Gaza.
"He said a deal must ensure an end to the war and a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza — conditions that Israel has never accepted. Israel, for its part, wants Hamas to disarm, something the group rejects.
Barhoum said Hamas wants a permanent, comprehensive ceasefire, a complete pullout of Israeli forces and the immediate start of a comprehensive reconstruction process under the supervision of a Palestinian "national technocratic body".
Underlining the obstacles at talks, an umbrella of Palestinian factions, including Hamas, issued a statement vowing a "resistance stance by all means" and saying "no one has the right to cede the weapons of the Palestinian people".
Meloni says she was reported to ICC for alleged complicity in genocide
04:15 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarItalian prime minister Giorgia Meloni has revealed that she has been reported to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged complicity in genocide in connection with Israel's offensive in Gaza.
Two of Ms Meloni’s ministers have also been reported to the ICC, she revealed on Tuesday.
Speaking with state television broadcaster RAI, Ms Meloni said defence minister Guido Crosetto and foreign minister Antonio Tajani had been denounced, and "I think" also Roberto Cingolani, the head of defence group Leonardo.
"I don't believe there is another case like this in the world or in history," Ms Meloni said.
More here.
Hamas sets out conditions
03:35 , Alex RossDonald Trump met senior US mediators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner for an update on the negotiations before they departed for Egypt for talks on Wednesday.
They discussed issues such as ensuring the safety of the hostages and security guarantees, the official added.
"The (Hamas) movement’s delegation participating in the current negotiations in Egypt is working to overcome all obstacles to reaching an agreement that meets the aspirations of our people in Gaza," senior Hamas official Fawzi Barhoum said in a televised statement.
He said a deal must ensure an end to the war and a full Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip - conditions that Israel has never accepted. Israel, for its part, wants Hamas to disarm, something the group rejects.
Hamas wants a permanent, comprehensive ceasefire, a complete pullout of Israeli forces and the immediate start of a comprehensive reconstruction process under the supervision of a Palestinian "national technocratic body", he said.
Hamas ready to 'engage in serious negotiations'
02:34 , Alex RossOn the second day of talks in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, top Hamas leader Khalil Al-Hayya told Egyptian state-affiliated Al Qahera News TV the group had come "to engage in serious and responsible negotiations."
He said Hamas was ready to reach a deal, yet it needed a "guarantee" to end the war and ensure "it is not repeated".
Trump optimistic on peace
01:32 , Alex RossHamas said on Tuesday it was ready to reach a deal to end the war in Gaza based on President Donald Trump's plan but still has demands, as Qatar's prime minister and senior U.S. mediators headed to Egypt to join indirect negotiations between the Palestinian militant group and Israel.
On the second anniversary of Hamas' attack on Israel that triggered the Gaza war, Trump expressed optimism about progress toward a Gaza deal.
A US team including special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law and his Middle East envoy during his first term, left for the talks.
"I think there's a possibility that we could have peace in the Middle East" beyond just Gaza, the US president told reporters in the Oval Office.
A source close to the talks said they had adjourned for the day and the atmosphere had been better than on Monday. Negotiations on Wednesday would be a decisive indicator of whether progress was possible given the presence of the senior mediators, the source said.
Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani of Qatar, which has been one of the key mediators, will join the talks on Wednesday, an official told Reuters, "with the aim of pushing forward the Gaza ceasefire plan and hostage release agreement".
Father of killed hostage whose body is in Gaza hits out at Netanyahu
Tuesday 7 October 2025 22:00 , Alex CroftRuby Chen, the father of killed hostage Itay Chen, whose body is being held in Gaza, has hit out at Benjamin Netanyahu and others for referring to “20 hostages”.
Reference to the “20 hostages”, a figure which has been commonly mentioned in Israel, does not include the bodies of those still being held in Gaza.
“Even though we were notified [of his death], in my book, it doesn’t change his status as a hostage,” Mr Chen told The Independent.
“It’s very, very disappointing when the prime minister, even the president, says ‘20 hostages’.
“I was in the UN listening to Netanyahu speak and he started naming the hostages. He stopped after 20. I actually wanted to yell out, ‘What about Itay?’” he added.
Israelis march for hostages in Jerusalem
Tuesday 7 October 2025 21:01 , Alex CroftIsraelis marched in Jerusalem on Tuesday to call for the return of hostages still held in Gaza after two years of war.
Atalia Regev told the BBC she remembered waiting anxiously for a friend in kibbutz Be’eri to respond to texts during Hamas’ incursion.
Two years on, she says she and her partner, Bar, have always supported peace, but have lingering trust issues.
“We didn’t have any regular life for a long time. It was really, really hard,” she said.
One killed in Israeli drone strike in Lebanon, says health ministry
Tuesday 7 October 2025 20:01 , Alex CroftOne person was killed and another wounded in an Israeli drone strike in Lebanon, the Lebanese health ministry said on Tuesday.
The drone was said to be targeting a car in Deir Aames, a town in the south.
The IDF is yet to comment.
Qatar says many details need ironing for full agreement between Israel and Hamas
Tuesday 7 October 2025 19:02 , Alex CroftQatar, which has mediated in previous attempts to secure a ceasefire along with the United States and Egypt, has said many details still have to be ironed out to reach a full agreement between Israel and Hamas.
"The plan consists of 20 points, and all of these points require practical interpretations on the ground," Qatar's foreign ministry spokesperson, Majed al-Ansari, told a press conference.
Hamas handing over hostages seized in the 2023 attack would mean the end of the war, he said.
Hostage families endorse Trump for peace prize
Tuesday 7 October 2025 18:02 , Alex CroftFamilies of hostages still held in Gaza have endorsed Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize over his efforts to secure the release of the remaining captives.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum said in a statement to the Norwegian Nobel Committee on Monday that “for the first time in months, we are hopeful that our nightmare will finally be over” as Trump’s plan to end the war was tabled in Egypt.
“We are confident that [Trump] will not rest until the last hostage is brought home, the war has ended, and peace and prosperity are restored to the people of the Middle East,” they said, calling on the committee to name the U.S. president as the laureate of the award this Friday.
Netanyahu 'very positive' on talks, says Trump
Tuesday 7 October 2025 17:28 , Alex CroftUS president Donald Trump assured Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu remains “very positive” about the ongoing indirect peace talks in Egypt.
Pressed by CNN’s Kaitlan Collins on an Axios report that claimed Trump had urged Netanyahu to stop being negative, the U.S. leader said it was “not true”.
“He’s been very positive on the deal,” Trump said. “But this is a deal that, incredibly, everyone just came together. They all came together. No, Israel’s been great. They’ve all been good, Kaitlan.”
Hamas issues statement two years on from attacks
Tuesday 7 October 2025 17:00 , Alex CroftHamas issued a statement on the second anniversary of the deadly October 7 attacks.
It described the time since as “two years of pain, injustice, oppression and great suffering, of heavy costs”.
Hamas criticised Israel’s attacks on “defenceless civilians”, lamenting “shameful international silence and complicity and unprecedented Arab failure”.
First round of talks 'concludes' with Witkoff to join negotiations
Tuesday 7 October 2025 16:59 , Daniel KeaneThe first round of ceasefire talks between Israeli and Hamas officials has concluded in Egypt, Palestinian official has said.
The official told the BBC that the negotiations between Israeli and Palestinian delegations in resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh lasted for four hours. Qatari and Egyptian mediators were in attendance, the source said.
Donald Trump’s envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, will arrive imminently to join the talks along with Jared Kushner, the President’s son-in-law and a former senior advisor in his last administration.
'Positive signals' coming from talks, senior Palestinian official says
Tuesday 7 October 2025 16:32 , Alex CroftThe Independent’s chief correspondent Bel Trew has been speaking to Palestinian officials:
Palestinian deputy foreign minister Omar Awadallah told The Independent that there were “positive signals” coming out of the indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas in Sharm El-Sheikh over a deal for Gaza.
He said that we were “the closest to an agreement since January”, when the last temporary truce was reached and came into effect.
Representatives from Hamas, Israel, as well as Egypt, Qatar, and the United States are currently in Sharm El-Sheikh working on the implementation of Trump’s 20-point peace plan. So far, negotiators have been fairly tight-lipped about what exactly has been discussed.
Mr Awadallah said that top of the agenda right now was the “first part” of the plan: the release of hostages and prisoners, the entry of aid “at scale”, the withdrawal of Israeli forces, and a halt to the fighting, the end to the slaughter.
For these initial stages, he said “the atmosphere is optimistic” that an agreement could be reached soon, as Trump has put pressure on a deal this week.
The issue, however, is the timeframes and a “solid action plan”.
“For [the] withdrawal of Israeli forces, we want the time frame to be quick, so that our people can be relieved and we can start the process of recovery and reconstruction. Without Israel’s withdrawal, it will be difficult,” he told The Independent from Ramallah in the occupied West Bank.
“But the deal needs action plans, time lines and time tables.”
One of the key concerns from the Palestinian side is Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu “playing tricks.”
“He is a master in changing agreed upon ideas, and in sabotaging any peaceful solution in the Middle East.
“The concern is without time line of withdrawal, this turns into a de facto occupation of Gaza, and also isolating Gaza, taking Gaza out of the geographical and political unity that is essential to political peace process.”
“Gaza is integral to the state of Palestine, there is no ‘people in Gaza’, no ‘Ramallah’s people’, no ‘West Bank people’, it is called the question of Palestine,” he added.
Guterres backs Trump's peace plan
Tuesday 7 October 2025 16:31 , Alex CroftAhead of the resumption of talks on Tuesday, UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres called for an end to the hostilities, which have created "a humanitarian catastrophe on a scale that defied comprehension."
"The recent proposal by US president Donald J Trump presents an opportunity that must be seized to bring this tragic conflict to an end," Mr Guterres said.
"A permanent ceasefire and a credible political process are essential to prevent further bloodshed and pave the way for peace. International law must be respected."
Two years of unprecedented bloodshed in Gaza: ‘Our greatest hope is that this nightmare will end’
Tuesday 7 October 2025 16:00 , Alex CroftTwo years on from the brutal Hamas killings of October 7 and Israel’s retaliatory bombings, life in Gaza has been a hellscape of death and famine, report Nedal Hamdouna in Gaza and chief international correspondent Bel Trew...
Two years of unprecedented bloodshed in Gaza: ‘Our biggest hope? This nightmare ends’
In pictures: Vigils around world to mark two years since 7 October Hamas attack
Tuesday 7 October 2025 15:29 , Alex Croft
Gaza health system 'devastated' after two years of war
Tuesday 7 October 2025 14:58 , Alex CroftGaza’s health services have been rocked by “devastating and fatal blows” over two years of bitter conflict, the Palestinian Health Ministry in Hamas-run Gaza has said.
“What is happening in the Gaza Strip is not a humanitarian crisis, or just a passing description of the long record of Israeli occupation crimes,” the ministry said in a post on Telegram on Tuesday.
“Rather, it is a complete and deliberate collapse of the pillar of human existence represented by the health services system, which has been exposed over the course of 730 days to devastating and fatal blows that have struck the nerve of the service components and its infrastructure.”
It claimed that 51,196 children under the age of five were still suffering from severe malnutrition, with health conditions worsened by overcrowding in “forced assembly areas”.
25 of 38 hospitals were out of service, it said, with 13 “still operating partially and in difficult conditions”.
Gazans hope for quick end to war after two years of bombardment
Tuesday 7 October 2025 14:22 , Alex CroftThe anguish of loss and a desperate wish for a quick end to the war has resounded across Gaza, after two years of devastating Israeli bombardment and invasion.
"Our families have died, our homes are gone. We pray to God that this war will end as soon as possible, today instead of tomorrow," said Sanaa Adwan in Khan Younis.
Ghassan Abu Rejeila said the war has stripped Gaza of everything that gives life meaning, whether it's a family gathering or a decent meal.
His wish to watch his children in their school uniforms pursue their education is no more. "We've lost the beautiful moments (in life). Our life has become hell upon hell. Every day, there is killing, strikes, death, martyrdom,” he told Reuters news agency.
Maha Shbeir, a doctor at Nasser Hospital, said the last two years feel like two decades of tragedy, suffering, homelessness and hunger. The war robbed people of a sense of stability, he added. After being displaced eight times, it felt as if "my soul was leaving my body."
Father of killed hostage whose body is in Gaza hits out at Netanyahu
Tuesday 7 October 2025 13:51 , Alex CroftRuby Chen, the father of killed hostage Itay Chen, whose body is being held in Gaza, has hit out at Benjamin Netanyahu and others for referring to “20 hostages”.
Reference to the “20 hostages”, a figure which has been commonly mentioned in Israel, does not include the bodies of those still being held in Gaza.
“Even though we were notified [of his death], in my book, it doesn’t change his status as a hostage,” Mr Chen told The Independent.
“It’s very, very disappointing when the prime minister, even the president, says ‘20 hostages’.
“I was in the UN listening to Netanyahu speak and he started naming the hostages. He stopped after 20. I actually wanted to yell out, ‘What about Itay?’” he added.
'This moment must be seized,' says EU chief
Tuesday 7 October 2025 13:36 , Alex CroftEuropean Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said the "immediate release of all hostages and a ceasefire are now within reach".
"This moment must be seized to pave the way for a lasting peace in the region, based on the two-state solution," she said.
Qatar says many details need ironing for full agreement between Israel and Hamas
Tuesday 7 October 2025 13:20 , Alex CroftQatar, which has mediated in previous attempts to secure a ceasefire along with the United States and Egypt, has said many details still have to be ironed out to reach a full agreement between Israel and Hamas.
"The plan consists of 20 points, and all of these points require practical interpretations on the ground," Qatar's foreign ministry spokesperson, Majed al-Ansari, told a press conference.
Hamas handing over hostages seized in the 2023 attack would mean the end of the war, he said.
Hostage families demand explanation from Netanyahu over incorrect figure
Tuesday 7 October 2025 13:00 , James ReynoldsThe Hostages and Missing Families Forum demanded an explanation from Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu after he said there were 46 hostages still in Gaza.
Netanyahu spoke to American commentator Ben Shapiro in an interview published on Monday about Israel’s wins over “Iran’s proxies” in the region.
With peace talks ongoing, he added: “What started in Gaza will end in Gaza with the release of 40 of our hostages - 46 actually, 20 are alive - and also the end of Hamas rule … in Gaza.”
The mistake drew fire from the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, who corrected the figure to 48 and said: “They were all taken on your watch.”
“You have the opportunity to end this nightmare. It is time to begin the recovery and renewal of the people of Israel, to reach an agreement that ends the longest war in our history and brings home all 48 – the living for rehabilitation and the fallen for burial. Forty-eight. Not 40. Not 46,” a statement shared across Israeli media read.
Pope to visit Turkey and Lebanon in first trip outside of Italy
Tuesday 7 October 2025 12:45 , James ReynoldsPope Leo will visit Turkey and Lebanon in November in his first trip outside of Italy, the Vatican said on Tuesday.
Hostage families endorse Trump for peace prize
Tuesday 7 October 2025 12:30 , James ReynoldsFamilies of hostages still held in Gaza have endorsed Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize over his efforts to secure the release of the remaining captives.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum said in a statement to the Norwegian Nobel Committee on Monday that “for the first time in months, we are hopeful that our nightmare will finally be over” as Trump’s plan to end the war was tabled in Egypt.
“We are confident that [Trump] will not rest until the last hostage is brought home, the war has ended, and peace and prosperity are restored to the people of the Middle East,” they said, calling on the committee to name the U.S. president as the laureate of the award this Friday.
“Today, we write with hearts full of gratitude and a profound sense of momentous urgency, to urge you to award the Nobel Peace Prize to President Donald J. Trump.”
— Bring Them Home Now (@bringhomenow) October 6, 2025
The Families of the Hostages wrote to the Norwegian Nobel Committee today, asking the committee to award President… pic.twitter.com/4wiZzuVjts
How two years of war in Gaza have devastated lives in Gaza
Tuesday 7 October 2025 12:15 , James ReynoldsThe war between Hamas and Israel began when Hamas militants launched a surprise attack on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mainly civilians, and taking 251 hostages back to Gaza.
In response, Israeli leaders promised a punishing offensive on the strip to annihilate Hamas and free the hostages.
Here’s a closer look at the devastation that followed, by the numbers:
These numbers show how 2 years of war have devastated Palestinian lives in Gaza
One killed in Israeli drone strike in Lebanon, says health ministry
Tuesday 7 October 2025 12:00 , James ReynoldsOne person was killed and another wounded in an Israeli drone strike in Lebanon, the Lebanese health ministry said on Tuesday.
The drone was said to be targeting a car in Deir Aames, a town in the south.
The IDF is yet to comment.
In pictures: People gather for a vigil in remembrance of the October 7 victims in Berlin
Tuesday 7 October 2025 11:45 , James Reynolds
Israelis march for hostages in Jerusalem
Tuesday 7 October 2025 11:30 , James ReynoldsIsraelis marched in Jerusalem on Tuesday to call for the return of hostages still held in Gaza after two years of war.
Atalia Regev told the BBC she remembered waiting anxiously for a friend in kibbutz Be’eri to respond to texts during Hamas’ incursion.
Two years on, she says she and her partner, Bar, have always supported peace, but have lingering trust issues.
“We didn’t have any regular life for a long time. It was really, really hard,” she said.
Netanyahu 'very positive' on talks, says Trump
Tuesday 7 October 2025 11:15 , James ReynoldsU.S. president Donald Trump assured Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu remains “very positive” about the ongoing indirect peace talks in Egypt.
Pressed by CNN’s Kaitlan Collins on an Axios report that claimed Trump had urged Netanyahu to stop being negative, the U.S. leader said it was “not true”.
“He’s been very positive on the deal,” Trump said. “But this is a deal that, incredibly, everyone just came together. They all came together. No, Israel’s been great. They’ve all been good, Kaitlan.”
Gueterres backs Trump's peace plan
Tuesday 7 October 2025 11:00 , James ReynoldsAhead of the resumption of talks on Tuesday, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for an end to the hostilities, which have created "a humanitarian catastrophe on a scale that defied comprehension."
"The recent proposal by US President Donald J. Trump presents an opportunity that must be seized to bring this tragic conflict to an end," Guterres said.
"A permanent ceasefire and a credible political process are essential to prevent further bloodshed and pave the way for peace. International law must be respected."
'Positive signals' coming from talks, senior Palestinian official says
Tuesday 7 October 2025 10:44 , Bel TrewPalestinian deputy foreign minister Omar Awadallah told The Independent that there were “positive signals” coming out of the indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas in Sharm El-Sheikh over a deal for Gaza.
He said that we were “the closest to an agreement since January”, when the last temporary truce was reached and came into effect.
Representatives from Hamas, Israel, as well as Egypt, Qatar, and the United States are currently in Sharm El-Sheikh working on the implementation of Trump’s 20-point peace plan. So far, negotiators have been fairly tight-lipped about what exactly has been discussed.
Mr Awadallah said that top of the agenda right now was the “first part” of the plan: the release of hostages and prisoners, the entry of aid “at scale”, the withdrawal of Israeli forces, and a halt to the fighting, the end to the slaughter.
For these initial stages, he said “the atmosphere is optimistic” that an agreement could be reached soon, as Trump has put pressure on a deal this week.
The issue, however, is the timeframes and a “solid action plan”.
“For [the] withdrawal of Israeli forces, we want the time frame to be quick, so that our people can be relieved and we can start the process of recovery and reconstruction. Without Israel’s withdrawal, it will be difficult,” he told The Independent from Ramallah in the occupied West Bank.
“But the deal needs action plans, time lines and time tables.”
One of the key concerns from the Palestinian side is Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu “playing tricks.”
“He is a master in changing agreed upon ideas, and in sabotaging any peaceful solution in the Middle East.
“The concern is without time line of withdrawal, this turns into a de facto occupation of Gaza, and also isolating Gaza, taking Gaza out of the geographical and political unity that is essential to political peace process.”
“Gaza is integral to the state of Palestine, there is no ‘people in Gaza’, no ‘Ramallah’s people’, no ‘West Bank people’, it is called the question of Palestine,” he added.
Hamas issues statement two years on from attacks
Tuesday 7 October 2025 10:40 , James ReynoldsHamas issued a statement on the second anniversary of the deadly October 7 attacks.
It described the time since as “two years of pain, injustice, oppression and great suffering, of heavy costs”.
Hamas criticised Israel’s attacks on “defenceless civilians”, lamenting “shameful international silence and complicity and unprecedented Arab failure”.
Gazans and Israelis mark two years of conflict
Tuesday 7 October 2025 10:30 , James ReynoldsAfter two years of devastating conflict, people in Gaza and Israel spoke of their hopes for an end to the war.
Gaza resident Mohammed Dib, 49, said: “It's been two years that we are living in fear, horror, displacement and destruction. We are hoping, with these new negotiations, to reach a ceasefire and a final end to the war."
Israeli citizen Hilda Weisthal said: “It's like an open wound, the hostages, I can't believe it's been two years and they are still not home. I really hope that all the leaders will make a push and that this war will end."
Gaza health system 'devastated' after two years of war
Tuesday 7 October 2025 10:18 , James ReynoldsGaza’s health services have been rocked by “devastating and fatal blows” over two years of bitter conflict, the Palestinian Health Ministry in Hamas-run Gaza has said.
“What is happening in the Gaza Strip is not a humanitarian crisis, or just a passing description of the long record of Israeli occupation crimes,” the ministry said in a post on Telegram on Tuesday.
“Rather, it is a complete and deliberate collapse of the pillar of human existence represented by the health services system, which has been exposed over the course of 730 days to devastating and fatal blows that have struck the nerve of the service components and its infrastructure.”
It claimed that 51,196 children under the age of five were still suffering from severe malnutrition, with health conditions worsened by overcrowding in “forced assembly areas”.
25 of 38 hospitals were out of service, it said, with 13 “still operating partially and in difficult conditions”.
Global reactions on second anniversary of October 7 attacks
Tuesday 7 October 2025 10:15 , James ReynoldsWorld leaders spoke on Tuesday to call for the release of the remaining hostages and an end to the war in Gaza as Israelis marked two years since the Hamas-led October 7 attacks.
British prime minister Keir Starmer said: “Our priority in the Middle East remains the same – release the hostages. Surge aid into Gaza. And a ceasefire that can lead to a lasting and just peace as a step towards a Two-State solution.”
French president Emmanuel Macron said: “We do not forget. We stand in solidarity with all the victims, including 51 of our fellow citizens. We also think of the 48 hostages still held by Hamas. We are working tirelessly for their release. I reiterate France’s call: the release of all hostages and a ceasefire must take place without delay.”
Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni said: “Two years have passed since the ignominy of the massacre carried out by Hamas terrorists against thousands of defenceless and innocent Israeli civilians, including women and children. Unspeakable crimes that make October 7 one of the darkest pages in history.”
She added: “Hamas' violence has triggered an unprecedented crisis in the Middle East. Israel’s military response has gone beyond any principle of proportionality, claiming too many innocent lives among Gaza’s civilian population. We all have a duty to do everything within our power to ensure that this precious and fragile opportunity - the peace plan presented by President Trump - succeeds."
Greek prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said: “Today we pause to honour the victims of terror. We stand firmly against hatred and violence. As talks advance under the @POTUS plan, we urge all parties to act with courage and restraint: toward a lasting ceasefire, release of all hostages and a future of peace and security for all."
Rocket launched at Israel as bombing of Gaza continues
Tuesday 7 October 2025 10:10 , James ReynoldsThe IDF reported on Tuesday that a rocket had been fired from northern Gaza into Israeli territory. No injuries were reported.
In Gaza, al-Amal hospital officials reported that a child had been killed and many Palestinians wounded in an Israeli attack.
