Security officials involved in the recent hostage-release negotiations in Sharm el-Sheikh said that a key change in the mediation format, involving Israeli and Hamas delegations and led by the United States with support from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, fundamentally altered the dynamics of the talks.
In contrast to previous mediation efforts, the US brought all parties into a single hall, eliminating Hamas’s ability to rely on its usual support structure during the proceedings. As a result, both Hamas and the mediators were compelled to address core disputes directly and in real time.
The decision was described by officials as “a smart move” that also placed added pressure on the mediators themselves. In earlier negotiations, some of these states had quietly backed Hamas’s rejection of proposals tabled by Israel or the US.
According to the officials, each mediating country was offered either short- or long-term incentives from Washington. While some of those benefits were made public, others remain classified or are still being negotiated.
Their participation, officials said, was driven not only by diplomatic calculations but also by a desire to bolster their regional influence, particularly in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
A security source said that financial considerations also played a role, noting that compensation from international sources is expected to be distributed as part of the eventual agreement. By uniting the parties under one roof, the mediators effectively cornered Hamas into addressing issues it had previously avoided.
One of the main architects behind the new structure was Jared Kushner, senior adviser to US President Donald Trump. Officials said Kushner was asked to assist in the final stage of the talks in an informal advisory capacity.
Predefined list of prisoners
A second major shift led by the Americans involved a predefined list of security prisoners to be released as part of the deal. This longstanding point of contention had stalled previous rounds of talks.
According to the officials, the list includes 250 senior terrorists from a pool of approximately 280 high-profile prisoners held by Israel. Only 30 names remain in dispute. The Shin Bet reportedly stood firm on key red lines, preventing the inclusion of top Hamas operatives and refusing to release the remains of the Sinwar brothers.
Terrorist deportation agreed in advance
The third American initiative concerned the deportation of designated terrorists based on Israeli terms. All states to which these prisoners might seek relocation were present in the room, with the exception of Iran, which was not considered a destination due to its Shi’ite affiliation, officials said.
Unlike in previous rounds, where external actors could delay or resist from a distance, the presence of all relevant nations at the table made it difficult to oppose US-led proposals. This allowed for real-time resolution of remaining disagreements and helped close the gaps in the emerging agreement.