October 1, 2026
CAIRO, Egypt (AP) — Ceasefire talks between the terror organization Hamas and Israel are expected to resume next week, a Hamas official said Friday, as Israeli strikes continue across Gaza.
Hamas official Bassem Naim said on Friday that he was told an Israeli delegation would depart for consultations early next week. Previous talks had been held in Qatar. His comments come a day after the United States recalled its negotiating team from Qatar and after President Donald Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, said Hamas' latest response to the negotiations showed a “lack of desire” to reach a truce.
Witkoff said the U.S. will "now consider alternative options to bring the hostages home and try to create a more stable environment for the people of Gaza.” He did not elaborate on what those options might be.
Earlier on Thursday, Israeli Prime Minster Benjamin Netanyahu’s office also recalled his negotiating team in light of Hamas’ response. In a brief statement, Netanyahu’s office expressed appreciation for the efforts of Witkoff and the other mediators, Qatar and Egypt, but gave no further details.
Hamas said that Witkoff's remarks were meant to pressure the group for Netanyahu's benefit during the next round of talks and that in recent days negotiations had made progress. Naim said several gaps had been nearly solved, such as the agenda of the ceasefire, guarantees to continue negotiating to reach a permanent agreement, and how humanitarian aid would be delivered.
Israel's government didn't immediately respond to whether negotiations would resume next week.
The sides have held weeks of talks in Qatar, reporting small signs of progress but no major breakthroughs. Officials have said a main sticking point is the redeployment of Israeli troops after any ceasefire takes place.
The deal under discussion is expected to include an initial 60-day ceasefire in which Hamas would release 10 living hostages and the remains of 18 others in phases in exchange for Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. Aid supplies would be ramped up, and the two sides would hold negotiations on a lasting ceasefire.
The talks have been bogged down over competing demands for ending the war. Hamas says it will only release all hostages in exchange for a full Israeli withdrawal and an end to the war. Israel says it will not agree to end the conflict until Hamas gives up power and disarms. The terrorist group says it is prepared to leave power but not surrender its weapons.
Hamas is believed to be holding the hostages, taken during a terror attack on Israel in October 2023, in different locations, including tunnels, and says it has ordered its guards to kill them if Israeli forces approach.
Some 50 hostages remain in Gaza but fewer than half are believed to be alive. Their families say the start-stop talks are excruciating.
“I thought that maybe something will come from the time that the negotiation, Israeli team were in Doha," said Yehuda Cohen, whose son Nimrod is being held hostage. "And when I heard that they’re coming back, I ask myself: When will this nightmare end?”
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