US envoy, Israeli minister join Gaza talks as Hamas hands over hostage swap list

Talks to end the war in Gaza were bolstered by the arrival of senior figures from Israel and the United States on Wednesday after Hamas handed over its lists of hostages and Palestinian prisoners to be freed in a swap.

With President Donald Trump's 20-point plan appearing closer than any previous effort to halt the war, delegations were upgrading their presence at the talks, launched on Monday in the Egyptian resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh.

Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and special envoy Steve Witkoff arrived in Sharm el-Sheikh, sources familiar with the talks said, and an Israeli official said Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, a close confidant of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was also now there.

They were expected to join the talks, along with the prime minister of longstanding mediator Qatar, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said the indirect negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas had made "a lot of headway" and that a ceasefire would be declared if they reached a positive outcome.

Trump also expressed optimism about progress towards a deal on Tuesday, and European, Arab and other states will meet in Paris on Thursday to discuss Gaza's post-war transition, with Washington likely to be represented, diplomatic sources said.

But crucial details are yet to be spelled out, including the timing, a post-war administration for the Gaza Strip and the fate of Hamas.

Hamas said it had handed over its lists of hostages and Palestinian prisoners to be exchanged in a swap, and was optimistic about the talks so far.

The list of Palestinians Hamas wants freed is expected to include some of the most prominent prisoners ever jailed by Israel, whose release had been off limits in previous ceasefires.

According to a Palestinian source close to the talks, the list includes Marwan al-Barghouti, a leader of the Fatah movement, and Ahmed Saadat, head of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. Both are serving multiple life sentences for involvement in attacks that killed Israelis.

Hamas says the indirect negotiations were focused so far on three issues: halting the conflict, withdrawing Israeli forces from Gaza and the swap deal.