Israel and Hamas hold talks in Egypt to discuss Trump's peace plan
Illustrative photo: Hamas and Israel discuss troop withdrawal and ceasefire (Getty Images)
Indirect negotiations aimed at ending the war in Gaza have begun in Egypt, with the parties discussing the release of hostages, humanitarian aid to the enclave, and the key terms of a potential agreement, according to a publication by the Reuters news agency.
Indirect talks between Israel and Hamas have begun in Sharm el-Sheikh, with mediators from Egypt, the United States, and Qatar participating. Washington hopes this round of negotiations will pave the way to ending the war in Gaza, addressing contentious issues such as the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the enclave and the disarmament of Hamas.
Framework of talks
Both sides confirmed their readiness to adhere to the general principles of the plan proposed by US President Donald Trump, which calls for a ceasefire, the release of hostages, and the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza. The plan has received backing from both Arab and Western nations.
Terms and key challenges
While Trump urges rapid progress, both parties are seeking clarifications on crucial details. Israel has reportedly agreed to partially suspend its bombardment of Gaza, and residents have noted a decrease in the intensity of airstrikes, though attacks have not ceased entirely. Over the past 24 hours, 19 people were killed in Israeli strikes, about one-third of the average daily toll in recent weeks.
Hamas is demanding guarantees that Israel will indeed withdraw its forces after the militants relinquish control and release the hostages. Israel, meanwhile, wants the first phase of negotiations to focus strictly on the release of hostages and the creation of a buffer zone along the “yellow line” in Gaza.
Negotiating teams
The Israeli delegation includes representatives from Mossad, Shin Bet, the Prime Minister’s foreign policy adviser, and the coordinator for hostage affairs.
The Hamas delegation is led by Khalil al-Hayya, the group’s exiled leader, whose son was killed in an Israeli airstrike. The United States has dispatched a special envoy and Jared Kushner to take part in the talks.
According to the White House spokesperson, lists of hostages and Palestinian detainees are being carefully reviewed, and Washington is working to accelerate the process.
Core issues
The main sticking points remain the exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners, the withdrawal of Israeli troops, the ceasefire terms, and the contentious question of Hamas’s disarmament.
Tensions and outlook
Deep mutual distrust continues to undermine the talks. Hamas remains skeptical of Israel’s intentions after any potential hostage release, while inside Israel, public pressure for an immediate ceasefire is mounting, though some government officials remain opposed to halting military operations.
For Gazans, the negotiations represent a rare glimmer of hope. Many see a ceasefire as the only path to survival and the restoration of even a semblance of normal life in the war-torn enclave.
Earlier, President Donald Trump said "effective negotiations" were underway to reach a final peace agreement and end the hostilities in Gaza. The US president also met in New York with a group of Arab and Muslim leaders to discuss further steps toward ending the conflict.
