After two devastating years of conflict, negotiators representing Israel and Hamas are scheduled to convene in Egypt on Monday. These crucial talks, mediated by international parties, aim to discuss a comprehensive peace plan recently put forth by former President Trump, offering a glimmer of hope for an end to the prolonged violence in Gaza.
Despite the urgency, numerous complex issues still need to be ironed out between the warring factions.
These indirect discussions, facilitated by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt, are expected to concentrate on two primary elements of Trump’s 20-point proposal. First, a prisoner exchange involving Israeli-held Palestinians for hostages captured during the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led assault that ignited the war. Second, a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from specific areas within Gaza.
Current intelligence suggests approximately 20 Israeli hostages remain alive in Gaza, with efforts also focused on recovering the remains of around 25 others. According to Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s statement on Fox News, Hamas has indicated its acceptance of the president’s proposed framework for hostage release.
The agreed-upon framework details an exchange: Israeli hostages will be released in return for 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences and an additional 1,700 Gazans detained by Israel during the conflict. Furthermore, for each deceased hostage whose remains are returned, Israel will also release the remains of 15 Gazans.
While the plan outlines a 72-hour window for hostage release following Israeli assent, logistical challenges are anticipated by experts. Crucially, both parties still need to finalize the specific list of Palestinian prisoners to be released.
These examples highlight just a few of the many contentious points awaiting resolution.
Hamas publicly affirmed its readiness to release hostages on Friday. However, the group has yet to respond to several critical aspects of the American peace plan, particularly those it has previously rejected. Notably, the proposal insists on Hamas disarming and relinquishing any role in Gaza’s future governance—demands that are central to Israel’s security objectives.
Meanwhile, a visible sign of public sentiment, protesters in Tel Aviv gathered on Saturday, passionately calling for the release of Israeli hostages, underscoring the domestic pressure on leaders. Destroyed homes in the center of Khan Younis, in southern Gaza, on Thursday, illustrate the scale of devastation.
Unresolved questions also surround the detailed implementation of an Israeli troop withdrawal from their current positions within Gaza.
In a recent social media update, former President Trump claimed that Israel has already consented to an initial withdrawal line within Gaza for the first stage of the peace agreement.
He further declared, “Once Hamas confirms, the Ceasefire will take IMMEDIATE effect, the Hostages and Prisoner Exchange will commence, and we will establish the groundwork for the subsequent phase of withdrawal.”
However, there is speculation that Hamas may still push to renegotiate these proposed withdrawal lines.
Past negotiations saw Hamas agree to Israeli troops pulling back to a buffer zone adjacent to the Gaza-Israel border. Trump’s current plan, however, envisions Israeli forces maintaining positions deeper within Gaza, which Hamas has indicated it may find unacceptable.
Over the weekend, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the Israeli public, portraying the Trump plan as a strategic success. He attributed the potential for a peace deal to his government’s sustained military pressure on Hamas—a campaign that garnered widespread international condemnation—alongside ongoing diplomatic initiatives.
Netanyahu faces significant internal pressure: members of his far-right coalition staunchly oppose any deal and have threatened to collapse his government if an agreement is reached. While he attempts to placate these allies, he is simultaneously pressed by a large segment of the Israeli populace demanding a hostage deal and an end to the hostilities, in addition to strong international urging, particularly from Mr. Trump.
Adding to the external pressure, the former American president shared images on his social media showing Israelis demonstrating in Tel Aviv, advocating for a hostage agreement. His post was devoid of commentary, allowing the powerful visuals to convey their message.
Even for a leader known for his defiance, Prime Minister Netanyahu seems unable to disregard Mr. Trump’s influence. By Saturday, Israeli military operations were reportedly scaled back to purely defensive actions and responses to direct threats, as confirmed by Israeli officials.
Hamas is also under considerable pressure to bring an end to the devastating war.
For many Palestinians in Gaza, the Trump proposal represents their most viable path forward, following almost two years of severe hardship and multiple displacements. The region has endured widespread destruction, with tens of thousands of lives lost, including a tragic number of children. Furthermore, Trump has warned that Israel will be authorized to escalate its operations to entirely dismantle Hamas if the group fails to accept the deal.
Through social media, Mr. Trump explicitly called for Israel to halt its bombing campaign in Gaza to facilitate progress on the agreement with Hamas. Consequently, Israeli officials reported that the military had instructed its forces to prioritize defensive maneuvers, thus reducing offensive operations in the Gaza Strip.
Despite these directives, localized fighting has persisted on the ground. The Israeli military reported conducting several attacks on Sunday against suspected militants who posed immediate threats to their troops. Concurrently, emergency responders in Gaza indicated that they could not access some areas to retrieve casualties due to ongoing combat.
Throughout the conflict, Israel and Hamas have engaged in intermittent indirect talks, which have largely failed to yield results. Secretary Rubio acknowledged on Sunday that while the war isn’t over and significant work remains, there’s a distinct possibility that these new negotiations could finally lead to a resolution.
He expressed optimism, stating, “The hopeful aspect here is the existence of a clear framework for how this entire situation can eventually conclude.”