Envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner continued negotiations in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, on October 7th, 2025, as Hamas reiterated its demands for a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and international guarantees against renewed fighting. The talks, which concluded their second day on October 7th, 2025, focused on withdrawal maps and a timeline for hostage release, with significant gaps reported between the parties, according to Al-Jazeera. Sources indicate that Egypt and Qatar are supporting Hamas's stance for a complete end to the war and full Israeli withdrawal before any hostage release, placing the onus on Kushner and Witkoff to secure concessions from the militant group. Hamas is reportedly seeking to link hostage releases to a total cessation of hostilities, a position reiterated by a senior Hamas source to Al-Jazeera. In a separate development, environmental activist Greta Thunberg faced renewed criticism on October 7th, 2025, for posting an image of Israeli hostage Evyatar David in relation to "Palestinian prisoners." This occurred as Witkoff and Kushner continued their efforts in Egypt, with Minister Drummer scheduled to join negotiating calls on October 8th, 2025. Northern Gaza has been described as "wiped off the map" and reduced to rubble by the Israeli army, according to a report on October 7th, 2025. Lebanese Maronite leader Samir Geagea called for Hezbollah to disassociate from Hamas and relinquish its weapons on October 7th, 2025. Qatar had previously stated that all parties were pushing towards an agreement, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had expressed optimism. Senator Marco Rubio reiterated his commitment to eliminating Hamas and securing hostage releases. Separately, minibus driver Youssef Ziyadne was reported to have saved approximately 30 people from the Nova massacre on October 7th, 2025. Victims of the October 7th attacks included Yulia Chaban and Abed Ziyadne, a mixed Jewish-Arab couple murdered in the Zikim beach massacre.
