🔗 Share this article

Initial phase of Gaza negotiations between the Palestinian group and mediators have concluded in the Arab Republic “amid a positive atmosphere”, according to Egyptian government-affiliated media early on the weekday.

An Egyptian news source, affiliated with state intelligence, reported the discussions will resume on the following day, also between Hamas and mediators in the tourist destination of Sharm El-Sheikh, where an Israeli delegation arrived on Monday.

Israel and the Palestinian faction are expected to engage in indirect talks on the specifics of a proposal by US President Donald Trump for a captive-detainee swap and extended truce.

The US president’s 20-point plan outlines an immediate halt in hostilities, an swap of all captives held by Hamas for detainees from Palestine held by Israel, a phased pullout of Israeli forces from Gaza, the demilitarization of Hamas and the introduction of a transitional government led by an global organization.

One of Hamas’s primary demands since the beginning of the conflict has been a complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza in return for the freeing of the remaining captives. And while the armed faction has indicated its readiness to relinquish governing control, it has consistently ruled out disarming.

During this initial stage of negotiations, Egyptian and Qatari intermediaries are collaborating with the two parties to establish ground conditions for the liberation of the remaining forty-eight Israeli hostages held in Gaza in return for one thousand seven hundred Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails, and to decide the timeline of a short-term ceasefire.

These discussions of talks is expected to be challenging and complex, and could continue for a number of days, as per sources. We will have more details on the negotiations soon.

The talks occur as Israelis across the nation get ready to commemorate the two-year commemoration of the October 7th Hamas-initiated attacks on southern Israel, in which approximately 1,200 individuals, primarily non-combatants, were slain and 251 taken hostage.

Doubt Remains Over Peace Agreement

While there are optimistic indicators about this effort to bring about an conclusion to Israel’s war, there persists uncertainty over if a agreement can be secured and, crucially, maintained.

The Palestinian faction has partially agreed to the US president’s twenty-point plan, which the Israeli government has agreed to, but there are still major sticking points that need addressing, including the future governance of the Gaza Strip, the degree of Israel’s military withdrawal and Hamas’ disarmament.

Mediators have to decide which detainees from Palestine will be released from Israeli jails. The Palestinian delegation is expected to ask for prominent leaders, such as the figurehead a well-known detainee, who are highly regarded in the Palestinian territory and the coastal enclave.

Conservative members of Netanyahu’s coalition have put pressure on to ensure such influential individuals stay behind bars, news outlets in Israel has reported.

Itamar Ben-Gvir, the ultra-conservative government official, warned to leave the government if Hamas still existed after the freeing of hostages, introducing another hurdle to already fragile negotiations.