Representatives from Israel and Hamas are converging in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, for indirect talks aimed at brokering an end to the ongoing Israel-Gaza war. This marks a significant moment, as it represents the closest the two sides have come to an agreement since the conflict began two years ago.
The proposed peace plan, put forth by Donald Trump, serves as a foundational document, though it’s only a few pages long and leaves many crucial details for negotiation.
**Key Sticking Points:**
* **Hostage Release Structure:** Trump’s plan outlines the release of all remaining hostages within 72 hours of a deal. With an estimated 48 Israeli hostages still in Gaza, 20 of whom are believed to be alive, this is a high-stakes issue. Hamas, however, views hostages as their primary leverage and may be hesitant to release them before other concessions are met. The lack of trust is palpable, especially after a recent Israeli airstrike targeted Hamas’s negotiating team in Doha.
* **Hamas Disarmament:** Israel’s primary objective remains the dismantling of Hamas. The peace plan necessitates the group’s disarmament, a demand Hamas has consistently rejected, stating they will only lay down arms once a Palestinian state is established. Hamas’s official response made no mention of disarmament, suggesting a continued refusal.
* **Future Governance of Gaza:** The plan proposes that Hamas will have no future role in Gaza. Instead, a transitional body of Palestinian technocrats, overseen by a ‘Board of Peace’ led by Donald Trump and including former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, would govern. Eventually, the Palestinian Authority (PA) would take over. However, Prime Minister Netanyahu has expressed reservations about the PA’s involvement, and hardliners in his coalition are resistant to any plan that doesn’t involve continued Israeli control or reconstruction of settlements.
* **Israeli Withdrawal Timeline:** The plan vaguely states that Israel’s military withdrawal will occur based on agreed-upon “standards, milestones, and timeframes.” A White House map indicated a phased withdrawal, leaving significant portions of Gaza under Israeli control at each stage, with a final “security perimeter” intended to prevent terror threats. The lack of a clear timeline for full withdrawal is a major concern for Hamas.