Envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner continued negotiations in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, on October 7th, 2025, as Hamas reiterated demands for a complete end to the war and full Israeli withdrawal before any hostage release. The parties are focused on withdrawal maps and a timeline for hostage release, with Hamas seeking international guarantees for a cessation of hostilities. The second day of talks concluded today, according to a senior Hamas source speaking to Al-Jazeera. Despite President Trump's plan, Egypt and Qatar appear to be supporting Hamas's position, placing the onus on Kushner and Witkoff to secure concessions. Hamas is reportedly attempting to undermine Trump's plan by linking hostage releases to a total withdrawal and cessation of the war, as stated by a senior Hamas source to Al-Jazeera. International guarantees for a complete ceasefire and full withdrawal are being demanded by the Hamas delegation. In a separate development, environmental activist Greta Thunberg faced criticism on October 7th, 2025, for posting an image of Israeli hostage Evyatar David, who was allegedly starved and abused by Hamas, in relation to "Palestinian prisoners." This occurred as Witkoff and Kushner departed Washington on October 7th, 2025, for Egypt to finalize a deal, with U.S. officials expressing cautious optimism. Minister Drummer is scheduled to join the negotiating calls in Egypt on October 8th, 2025. An Israeli aircraft carrying senior Israeli intelligence officials had previously flown to Sharm El Sheikh on October 6th, 2025, for the ceasefire talks. The negotiations are converging in Egypt with Arab, Turkish, and U.S. representatives, and Iran has expressed support for Trump's Gaza peace plan. 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.
