The third nation with a big stake in Trump’s Israel-Gaza peace talks

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1. In the complex web of [Gaza](https://inews.co.uk/topic/gaza?ico=in-line_link) peace negotiations, one country could make or break the outcome.

   [Israel](https://inews.co.uk/topic/israel?ico=in-line_link) and [Hamas](https://inews.co.uk/topic/hamas?ico=in-line_link) are engaged in [crunch talks over the war in Gaza](https://inews.co.uk/news/five-missing-pieces-trump-gaza-peace-plan-experts-3960218?ico=in-line_link), mediated by Egypt.

   The two parties are negotiating indirectly in Sharm El-Sheikh, with mediators from the US, Egypt and Qatar attempting to broker an agreement.

   But Egypt itself has a major stake in the talks, with a fine line to tread between Israel and Palestine, and important ties to both.

   The talks come after both sides tentatively agreed to parts of [Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan](https://inews.co.uk/news/world/white-house-unveils-us-peace-plan-for-gaza-involving-tony-blair-3946150?srsltid=AfmBOopScap07znidiP05kIw-_HLcooRdC4vrt_s9e0a1j0vSmq0Btb3&ico=in-line_link), including the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, and a surge in humanitarian aid.

   Egypt has taken the lead on mediation after [Qatar suspended its work as a go-between](https://inews.co.uk/news/world/qatar-pauses-talks-as-israel-and-hamas-no-closer-to-ceasefire-3372757?srsltid=AfmBOorO1KJwP4uzLVy1_uJThxK9Od3iZKoMfv7ll8Kv9Tq5p_hZ-BRu&ico=in-line_link) in November 2024, saying it would resume when Hamas and Israel showed a “sincere willingness” to reach a deal.

   In September this year, [Israel launched an air attack on the Qatari capital of Doha](https://inews.co.uk/news/world/israel-launches-strikes-against-hamas-leaders-in-qatars-capital-doha-3907926?srsltid=AfmBOop8Q84yy03-rY0i8yars2np1LgzKYUP4GY_ofyC0kpBCxdup4mE&ico=in-line_link), targeting Hamas leaders who were meeting to discuss ceasefire proposals.

   Egypt’s foreign minister Badr Abdelatty has said [Cairo negotiators are working hard to get both parties to agree to Trump’s peace plan](https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/egypt-trying-convince-hamas-accept-trump-plan-says-foreign-minister-2025-10-02/), adding that it was clear that Hamas had to disarm and that Israel must end its offensive in Gaza.

   Abdelatty accused Israel of genocide, a [finding backed by a UN report](https://inews.co.uk/news/world/un-accused-israel-genocide-gaza-heres-what-need-know-3920315?srsltid=AfmBOopkRzRPKkZ_8-GSJnvthDx6Z7o51e34gRS-r_VtKs3IEkeDmIG2&ico=in-line_link) but rejected by the Netanyahu government, and said it had “gone beyond revenge” for the October 7 attacks.

   But he also criticised Hamas, saying that if they reject the peace deal, it would be “very difficult” and lead to further escalation.

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