A Hamas delegation is heading to Egypt for a new round of talks related to the situation in the Gaza Strip. According to a source cited by the Israeli outlet Ynet, the meeting is expected to include U.S. presidential special envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff, Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, and representatives of Qatar.
The Hamas delegation will be led by Khalil al-Hayya, the group’s leader in Gaza, who took part in previous rounds of negotiations.
The source said the main subject of discussion will be the release of Israeli hostages. According to the same source, Hamas is demanding the release of 250 prisoners held on security grounds as part of a possible deal. The figure, the source said, includes senior Fatah official Marwan Barghouti.
The issue of who will control the Gaza Strip after the war is not expected to be raised at this stage of the negotiations.
The source also said that, under the document being discussed, Israel would have to stop its military operation in Gaza City and across the strip, while Israeli troops would have to withdraw from the city.
According to the Ynet source, the hostages would be released gradually over several days.