By Emmanuel Thomas l Monday, October 06, 2025
WASHINGTON — Technical teams representing Israel and Hamas are in high-stakes, indirect talks in Egypt, actively drawing up the specific lists of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners to be exchanged under the first phase of a U.S.-backed peace plan, the White House confirmed on Monday.
The announcement, which underscores what officials describe as a sudden and significant surge in diplomatic momentum, comes as President Donald J. Trump and his administration push for a rapid conclusion to the nearly two-year war in Gaza.
“Technical teams are discussing the Gaza hostage deal ‘RIGHT NOW’,” a White House official stated, adding that the delegations in Egypt are “currently drawing up lists of hostages and political prisoners to be exchanged.” The official also relayed a striking point of consensus, noting that “All sides of this conflict agree that this war needs to end.”
The crucial discussions are taking place in the Egyptian resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh, mediated by Egypt and Qatar, and are focusing on implementing the initial steps of the comprehensive American peace proposal.
This phase is centered on securing the release of the remaining Israeli hostages held in Gaza—believed to be about 48 individuals, with roughly 20 presumed alive—in exchange for a large number of Palestinian prisoners currently held in Israeli jails. Reports indicate this could involve nearly 2,000 Palestinians, including several hundred serving life sentences.
The talks have gained critical traction since Hamas, on Friday, accepted the broad principles of President Trump’s plan, which calls for the complete release of all hostages, a withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, the disarmament of Hamas, and the establishment of an international transitional authority. Israel’s government has also publicly supported the American framework.
Despite the newfound optimism, considerable and complex gaps remain.
Hamas is reportedly seeking ironclad guarantees from the United States that Israel will not resume its military offensive once the hostages are released and the militants’ most potent leverage is gone. Israel, meanwhile, is determined to ensure its long-term security, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stating his troops would remain in control of most of Gaza regardless of the agreement—a point that runs counter to the broader plan for a full Israeli withdrawal.
The Egyptian and Qatari mediators, joined by key U.S. envoys, are working to bridge these differences, particularly over the precise line for a partial Israeli troop redeployment and the final names on the prisoner exchange lists.
The speed of the talks is unusual, with both President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu expressing hope that a deal on the first phase could be finalized within days.
For the families of the hostages, who have spent two years campaigning for their release, the reports from the White House provided a renewed source of hope.
“For the first time in months, we are hopeful that our nightmare will finally be over,” one family forum wrote in a public statement over the weekend.
If the negotiators can successfully finalize the lists and a mechanism for the exchange, a ceasefire would immediately take effect, providing a desperately needed pause to the conflict that has devastated Gaza and claimed tens of thousands of lives.
