Crucial days: Dermer latest arrival in Sharm el-Sheikh; Witkoff and Kushner won’t leave before final agreement

Egypt’s Sharm el-Sheikh is witnessing intense diplomatic activity as negotiations over a Gaza ceasefire enter a decisive phase, amid U.S. optimism that an agreement could be reached this week.

CNN, citing an Israeli official, said Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer is expected to join the talks, coinciding with the arrival of U.S. envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff in Sharm el-Sheikh.

The Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman announced that Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani will travel to Egypt to take part in talks related to the Trump plan for the Gaza Strip.

A Turkish official source said that the head of Turkey’s intelligence service, Ibrahim Kalin, will also participate in the Sharm el-Sheikh meetings.

Axios earlier reported that Kushner and Witkoff departed Washington for Sharm el-Sheikh to participate in talks aimed at reaching an agreement on a ceasefire and the release of hostages.

U.S. optimism

Axios quoted U.S. officials as saying they are “optimistic there is a real chance to reach an agreement on Gaza this week,” and that Kushner and Witkoff will not leave Egypt until a final deal is reached.

The officials added that “Israeli military pressure was a decisive factor in making Hamas more pragmatic,” noting that “Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu must recognize that the time has come to reach an agreement.”

Trump: a real chance for peace

President Donald Trump said “very serious talks are underway about the situation in Gaza,” stressing there is “a real opportunity to achieve a breakthrough in these negotiations.”

Trump added: “No country has opposed the plan to end the war, and we want the hostages released immediately. Our team is currently negotiating, and another team has just left to take part in the talks.”

He said the “possibility of achieving peace in the Middle East is real and tangible,” expressing hope that the talks will result in a comprehensive agreement to end the war on Gaza.