By SCM Staff Writer I Tuesday, October 07, 2025
SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt — Negotiations aimed at securing a cease-fire in Gaza and a comprehensive exchange of captives entered their second day here, with Hamas negotiators demanding that a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip be tied directly to the final release of Israeli captives.
The talks in Sharm el-Sheikh, brokered by regional and international mediators, are seen as a critical effort to halt the conflict that has raged for two years.
Khalil al-Hayya, the chief Hamas negotiator, offered a rare public statement on the group’s objectives, affirming the delegation’s commitment to “responsible and serious negotiations.”
He stressed that the primary goals are to “end the war, exchange captives, and secure the release of ‘israeli’ captives,” while also speaking to the broader aspirations of the Palestinian people for “stability, statehood, and self-determination.”
However, his remarks pointed to a deep mistrust of the Israeli government, which he accused of breaking previous promises to end the conflict. “The ‘israeli’ occupation has waged a crazy war on the Gaza Strip for two years, breaking its promises to end the war.
There must be guarantees for a complete end to the aggression,” Mr. Hayya stated. He also expressed appreciation for the efforts of Islamic and Arab nations, as well as President Trump, in seeking a permanent cessation of hostilities.
According to a senior Hamas source who spoke to Al Jazeera following the conclusion of the second day of discussions, the focus was heavily placed on withdrawal maps and the timetable for releasing Israeli captives.
The Hamas delegation is reported to have insisted on a phased process that explicitly links the stages of releasing Israeli captives to the stages of full withdrawal of occupation forces. Critically, the delegation stressed that the release of the last captive must coincide with the final withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
This demand for a guaranteed, final military exit from Gaza places a major condition on the hostage-prisoner exchange, a likely sticking point for Israeli negotiators.
Furthermore, the Hamas delegation emphasized the necessity of obtaining international guarantees to ensure the war’s permanent end and the complete withdrawal is carried out. This reflects the deep skepticism voiced by Mr. al-Hayya regarding the longevity of any potential agreement.
The negotiations continue amid immense international pressure to secure a lasting peace and facilitate the return of the remaining Israeli captives. The focus now shifts to whether the mediators can bridge the significant gap between the parties’ demands regarding the timing and completeness of the Israeli withdrawal.
