**Title: U.S. Officials Join Israel-Hamas Peace Talks in Egypt**

CAIRO — Senior U.S. officials, including President Donald Trump’s Middle East adviser, joined Israel and Hamas in peace talks on Wednesday at an Egyptian resort. This marks the third day of discussions aimed at addressing critical issues in an American plan to end the ongoing war in Gaza.

Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, arrived in Sharm el-Sheikh to participate in the negotiations. Hamas is seeking guarantees from Trump and mediators that Israel will not resume military operations in Palestinian territories after the group releases all remaining hostages.

All parties involved have expressed cautious optimism about reaching a deal to conclude the two-year conflict, which has resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of Palestinians and widespread destruction in Gaza. However, significant components of the peace plan remain unresolved, including the disarmament of Hamas, the timeline for Israeli troop withdrawal, and the establishment of an international governing body for Gaza post-Hamas.

Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani is also expected to join the talks. Additionally, Ron Dermer, a senior adviser to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is participating in the discussions.

During preliminary talks on Wednesday, Hamas official Taher Nounou stated that the group has provided a list of Palestinian prisoners it wishes to exchange for Israeli hostages. The peace plan calls for an immediate ceasefire and the release of 48 hostages held by militants since the surprise attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Approximately 20 of these hostages are believed to still be alive.

The plan envisions an Israeli troop withdrawal from Gaza following Hamas disarmament, with an international security force overseeing the territory. Trump and former U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair would supervise this governance. Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi described the negotiations as “very encouraging.”

Netanyahu’s office has indicated that Israel is “cautiously optimistic” about the talks, framing them as technical negotiations over a plan both sides have already approved. Hamas reiterated its demands for a lasting ceasefire and a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza but did not address disarmament, which it has historically resisted.

Khalil al-Hayya, Hamas’ chief negotiator, emphasized the need for solid guarantees from Trump and mediators that the conflict will not resume. This was his first public appearance since an Israeli strike in Qatar last month that killed six people, including his son and office manager.

In January, a ceasefire allowed for the release of some Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. However, Israel resumed its military campaign in March, citing the need to pressure Hamas for the release of remaining hostages. Previous negotiations have often faltered over similar issues, with Hamas demanding assurances of peace and Netanyahu insisting on continued military action until Hamas is dismantled.

The Trump plan aims to address these challenges by outlining disarmament and a post-war governance structure, along with provisions for a significant reconstruction effort.

The conflict has resulted in significant casualties, with over 67,000 Palestinians reported killed and nearly 170,000 wounded, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants, claims that about half of the deceased are women and children.

In Gaza, where much of the area lies in ruins, many Palestinians are desperate for a resolution. Thousands fleeing the latest Israeli ground offensive have set up makeshift shelters along the beach, often using blankets for cover.

“There is no food, nor good water, and blockage of crossings,” said Um Sulaiman Abu Afash, a displaced woman from Gaza City. “Our kids sleep in the streets. We buy drinking water. Where do we go? There’s no mercy.”

Sara Rihan, another displaced resident, expressed her hope for an end to the conflict. “I hope we return to our places and homes even if there are no homes,” she said. “Our existence in our land is the biggest happiness for us.”