Oct. 6 (UPI) -- Israel and Hamas have started the first round of indirect talks in Egypt to discuss an end the nearly two-year-long war in Gaza and the West Bank, which would include the exchange of hostages and prisoners of war.
The talks started Monday, with the delegations first working to set ground conditions for the release of all Israeli detainees in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, Cairo News and the Egyptian government-associated Al Qahera News reported.
The Hamas delegation, led by Khalil al-Hayya, who was targeted by Israel in an assassination attempt last month, is expected to meet with mediators from Egypt and Qatar before continuing the "highly secretive" meeting with the Israeli delegation.
In addition to Egyptian and Qatari mediators, the White House is sending Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump's son-in-law and adviser, Jared Kushner, to Egypt on Wednesday to join the negotiations, according to the Times of Israel.
Trump, posting on Truth Social, said that he has been "told that the first phase should be completed this week, and I am asking everyone to MOVE FAST. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE OR, MASSIVE BLOODSHED WILL FOLLOW -- SOMETHING THAT NOBODY WANTS TO SEE!"
