The Hamas delegation led by leader Khalil Al-Hayya arrived in Egypt on the evening of October 5 (local time), while Israel was scheduled to visit the negotiation location at Sharm el-Sheikh resort (Egypt) on October 6 to discuss the release of hostages.
This is Hayya's first trip to Egypt since he survived an Israeli attack in Doha, Qatar, in September.
Some Israeli officials revealed that their negotiation chief - Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer - will not be present at the discussion on October 6. Mr. Dermer will only appear when the negotiations have made clear progress.
Spokesmen for Dermer and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have not commented on the information.
Previously, on October 5, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that the relevant parties will soon know whether Hamas is really serious or not, through technical discussions related to logistics issues.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump was optimistic, saying, I was informed that the first phase would be completed this week, and I ask everyone to act quickly.
According to the plan promoted by Mr. Trump, the first phase will focus on exchanging hostages for Palestinian prisoners. There are still 48 hostages in Gaza, of which 20 are believed to be alive.
The plan includes 20 points to end fighting in Gaza, rescue the remaining hostages and determine the future of the territory. Israel and Hamas are said to have agreed to some of the plan before the negotiations.
On October 3, Hamas announced that it approved the exchange of hostages along with a number of other terms, but avoided controversial points such as the request for force defrontage - something the group has long denied.
Trump also welcomed Hamas' response and called on Israel to stop airstrikes in Gaza, but the attacks continued.
