The Middle East is abuzz with a new diplomatic push as Israeli and Hamas negotiators prepare to meet in Egypt on Monday. These crucial indirect talks, brokered by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt, aim to hash out a comprehensive peace plan put forth by former President Donald Trump last week. After two years of devastating conflict in Gaza, many are desperately hoping for a breakthrough, even though significant hurdles remain.
A key focus of the discussions will be a prisoner exchange. The proposed framework includes swapping Israeli-held Palestinians for hostages captured during the October 7th attack that ignited the war, and a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from parts of Gaza. Israel believes approximately 20 hostages are still alive and is also seeking the remains of about 25 others. Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated Hamas has agreed to the general hostage release framework, which proposes releasing 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences and 1,700 Gazans detained during the war. For each recovered hostage’s remains, Israel would release 15 Gazan remains.
However, logistical challenges are anticipated, and both sides have yet to finalize which specific Palestinian prisoners will be released. Furthermore, Hamas has not publicly committed to other major aspects of the American peace proposal, particularly demands for its disarmament and exclusion from Gaza’s governance — long-standing Israeli preconditions that Hamas has consistently rejected. Protesters in Tel Aviv were seen on Saturday calling for the release of Israeli hostages, a powerful image underscoring the public’s desire for resolution.
The withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza positions also presents a sticking point. While the former President stated Israel agreed to an initial withdrawal line, Hamas may push for different terms. Previous negotiations saw Hamas agreeing to an Israeli withdrawal to a buffer zone, but Trump’s plan suggests Israeli forces would remain deeper within Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has attempted to frame the Trump plan as a victory, attributing its potential for success to his sustained military pressure on Hamas and diplomatic efforts. Despite internal pressure from his far-right coalition, which threatens to collapse his government over any deal, Netanyahu faces significant public demand for a hostage agreement and an end to the conflict, as well as considerable international pressure, particularly from the US.
Hamas, too, finds itself under immense pressure. For many Palestinians in Gaza, this proposal represents a last beacon of hope after nearly two years of unimaginable hardship, displacement, and widespread destruction. With tens of thousands killed, including countless children, the threat looms that if Hamas rejects a deal, Israel could receive a “green light” to intensify its efforts to destroy the group.
The former President explicitly called for Israel to halt bombing in Gaza to facilitate the agreement. Consequently, the Israeli military has shifted its focus to defensive operations and responses to immediate threats, curtailing broader military actions. Nevertheless, sporadic fighting continues, with Israeli forces reporting attacks against militants and emergency workers in Gaza struggling to reach casualties in active combat zones.
While past negotiations between Israel and Hamas have frequently collapsed, the current framework, despite its complexities, offers a renewed sense of possibility. As Secretary of State Rubio noted, the existence of a structured plan provides a tangible path towards resolution, hinting that this time, things truly could be different.