U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are engaged in advancing Gaza ceasefire and hostage release negotiations in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, between 3:08 PM and 6:08 PM UTC on October 8th, 2025. Sources indicate a deal is potentially reachable by Friday, with President Trump planning a trip to the Middle East for a potential signature ceremony. Progress is being made, with only a couple of points remaining for a potential agreement, according to a U.S. official. Israeli officials expressed careful optimism, with one stating there is progress and another suggesting an agreement could be reached by Friday. A senior White House official confirmed good progress in conversations that could conclude within days. The Turkish Foreign Minister indicated that a ceasefire declaration may be imminent, with Israeli executives reportedly on that schedule. The head of the Egyptian Government Press Bureau stated that negotiations are in advanced stages, focusing on Israeli withdrawal and a settlement for hostage release, emphasizing that U.S. envoys would not attend a failing negotiation. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will not attend a foreign ministers meeting organized by France on October 9th in Paris to discuss post-war plans for Gaza, despite previous indications he would attend. Three sources with knowledge of the matter stated that Israel asked the Trump administration through several channels over the last 24 hours not to attend the Paris meeting, claiming that the discussions could divert from the Trump plan for ending the war and undermine ongoing negotiations in Egypt between Israel and Hamas. Israeli officials believe a deal will be reached within 24-36 hours. Hamas has provided information on 20 living hostages and is searching for the bodies of dead hostages, though it is not guaranteed all will be found. Israel has committed to releasing Palestinian prisoners once Hamas confirms all hostages are accounted for. The IDF withdrawal is expected to align with the Trump plan, with the IDF remaining in 57% of Gaza. The Netanyahu government is drafting a proposal for ministerial vote. Sources involved in or briefed on the ongoing talks in Sharm El Sheikh indicate that U.S., Israeli, and Qatari officials are optimistic a deal could be reached this week. A source told the Jerusalem Post that the situation is "not IF a deal is reached - BUT when it will be announced." It is also reported that Marwan Bergie and Ahmed Saadat will not be released in the deal. Israel believes Hamas may be unable to locate or return all bodies of the remaining dead hostages, with an estimated 7-15 remains potentially unrecoverable. Israel still demands the return of all 48 living and deceased hostages, according to CNN. In a separate incident during the negotiations, a Hamas squad reportedly left a tunnel in central Gaza and attempted to attack an IDF post. Some terrorists were eliminated, and others fled back into the tunnel. Additionally, nine vessels from the Freedom Flotilla Coalition attempting to break Israel's maritime blockade on Gaza were taken over by Israeli forces this morning, detaining approximately 150 activists, including at least two Israeli nationals, Zohar Chamberlain Regev and Omer Sharir.
