Politics

Trump’s Gaza Ceasefire Push: What’s at Stake in Cairo Talks?

Hamas, Israel meet in Cairo for ceasefire talks after US proposal. Ongoing strikes and hostage talks are key.

October 5, 2025, 9:26 AM

Damaged buildings with thick smoke rising into a clear blue sky

Thick smoke billows behind severely damaged buildings in Gaza City following an airstrike on March 19, 2025. By Adiyanto_123 / Shutterstock.com.

Executive Summary

Delegations from Hamas, Israel, and the United States are in Cairo for critical negotiations aimed at finalizing a US-proposed ceasefire deal in Gaza.

President Donald Trump has urged both sides to swiftly accept the plan, which includes an initial Israeli withdrawal line, but Hamas has not unconditionally accepted it, and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu faces opposition from his far-right coalition despite public pressure to proceed.

The high-stakes talks are occurring amidst ongoing Israeli strikes in Gaza, which killed at least 67 Palestinians on Saturday, exacerbating the severe humanitarian crisis in the enclave.

The Story So Far

The current high-stakes ceasefire negotiations in Cairo are a direct outcome of a US-backed proposal, with President Donald Trump actively pushing both sides to accept a plan aimed at ending the nearly two-year conflict in Gaza. These talks are unfolding amidst a dire humanitarian situation in the enclave and significant internal pressures, including Israeli public demands for a deal despite opposition from Prime Minister Netanyahu’s far-right coalition partners, and Hamas’s conditional readiness to negotiate.

Why This Matters

Despite President Donald Trump’s push for a ceasefire, the Cairo negotiations are complicated by ongoing Israeli strikes exacerbating Gaza’s humanitarian crisis and significant internal opposition within Israel’s government, which views the proposed deal as a “national defeat.” Moreover, the plan’s suggestion of expanded Israeli territorial control in Gaza signals potential long-term geopolitical shifts, regardless of whether a temporary cessation of hostilities is achieved.

Who Thinks What?

US President Donald Trump is urging both sides to swiftly accept the US-backed ceasefire plan, stating that Israel has agreed to an initial withdrawal line and that a ceasefire would be “immediately effective” if Hamas provides its approval.

Hamas has indicated readiness to enter negotiations for the release of all hostages but has not unconditionally accepted Trump’s proposal.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expresses optimism regarding the potential return of all hostages and aims to limit negotiations to “just a few days,” however, his far-right coalition partners, like National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, label the proposal “a national defeat,” while an estimated 120,000 Israelis, including families of hostages, are urging the government to proceed with the ceasefire deal.

Delegations from Hamas, Israel, and the United States are converging in Cairo for critical negotiations aimed at finalizing a ceasefire deal in Gaza, following a US proposal to end the nearly two-year conflict. US President Donald Trump has urged both sides to swiftly accept the plan, while humanitarian concerns persist amidst ongoing Israeli strikes in the enclave.

Ceasefire Talks Underway

The high-stakes talks in the Egyptian capital come after both warring sides reportedly agreed to advance with a US-backed proposal. President Donald Trump has maintained pressure on Israel and Hamas, stating that Israel has agreed to an initial withdrawal line and that a ceasefire would be “immediately effective” if Hamas provides its approval.

Hamas has indicated readiness to enter negotiations for the release of all hostages but has not unconditionally accepted Trump’s proposal. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed optimism regarding the potential return of all hostages within days.

Delegations and Objectives

Israel’s delegation will be led by Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, a close confidant of Prime Minister Netanyahu, and will include military and security officials. Netanyahu has stated the goal is to limit negotiations to “just a few days.” Hamas has also sent a delegation to Cairo.

Representing the United States in the negotiations are President Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, and his son-in-law, Jared Kushner. Separately, Egypt is slated to host an “intra-Palestinian dialogue” to discuss Gaza’s post-war future among various Palestinian factions.

Gaza Humanitarian Situation

Despite President Trump’s assertion that Israel had “temporarily stopped” bombing Gaza, hospital officials in the enclave reported that at least 67 Palestinians were killed in Israeli strikes on Saturday, with 45 deaths occurring in Gaza City alone. Essential services, including drinking water, are increasingly scarce in Gaza City, according to a local official, who continues to report ongoing bombing.

Israel has intensified its assault on Gaza City, which it claims is a Hamas stronghold, amidst international and domestic criticism regarding the humanitarian impact and the safety of Israeli hostages.

Domestic Reactions and Protests

In Israel, Prime Minister Netanyahu’s optimism about the ceasefire deal faces opposition from his far-right coalition partners, with National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir labeling the proposal “a national defeat.” Public sentiment in Israel saw an estimated 120,000 people gather in Tel Aviv on Saturday night, including families of hostages, urging the government to proceed with the ceasefire deal. The demonstration occurred as the two-year anniversary of the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas approaches.

President Trump had released a map showing the proposed “initial withdrawal line,” which he stated Israel had agreed to. This map indicates a significant increase in Israeli control over Gazan territory compared to a map presented by mediators in mid-July.

London Protests and Arrests

Further afield, nearly 500 people were arrested in central London on Saturday for supporting the banned activist group Palestine Action. The Metropolitan Police reported 492 arrests, with 488 for “supporting a proscribed organisation.” Palestine Action was designated a terror organization in July after some members vandalized military aircraft. Civil liberties advocates have criticized the ban as an infringement on freedom of speech.

The arrests included elderly individuals, and authorities had cautioned against the demonstration, citing concerns about diverting resources from protecting Jewish communities following a synagogue attack earlier in the week.

Looking Ahead

As negotiators convene in Cairo, the focus remains on securing a comprehensive ceasefire and ensuring the release of all hostages. The outcome of these discussions will be pivotal in determining the immediate future of the conflict and the humanitarian situation in Gaza.