Amidst ongoing clashes, smoke billowed over Gaza even as indirect talks between Hamas and Israel were scheduled in Egypt. The path to peace remains fraught with significant unresolved issues.
After two harrowing years of relentless conflict in Gaza, Israeli and Hamas negotiators are set to convene in Egypt on Monday. Their mission: to delve into a wide-ranging peace proposal put forward by former President Trump just last week, in a bid to finally bring an end to the hostilities.
However, significant disagreements persist, indicating that the path to peace will be challenging.
These indirect discussions, facilitated by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt, are expected to center on two critical components of Trump’s 20-point framework: a prisoner exchange involving Israeli-held Palestinians for hostages captured during the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led assault, and a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from specific areas within Gaza.
Estimates suggest approximately 20 Israeli hostages are still alive in Gaza, with Israel also seeking the return of the remains of roughly 25 more. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed on Sunday that Hamas has accepted the general principles of the proposed hostage release.
The proposed deal outlines the exchange of these hostages for 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences, alongside 1,700 Gazans detained by Israel throughout the war. Furthermore, for each deceased hostage’s remains returned, Israel would release the remains of 15 Gazan individuals.
Experts caution that implementing the hostage release within 72 hours of Israel’s agreement, as stipulated by the plan, presents considerable logistical hurdles. Crucially, both parties still need to finalize the specific list of Palestinian prisoners to be released.
These points highlight just a few of the many complex issues that negotiators must iron out.
Hamas indicated its readiness to release the hostages on Friday. However, the group has yet to formally respond to other significant aspects of the American peace initiative, particularly long-standing demands such as disarmament and relinquishing any role in Gaza’s governance—positions that Hamas has consistently rejected and are central to Israel’s objectives.
The specifics of an Israeli military withdrawal from its current positions in Gaza also remain a point of contention.
On Saturday, Trump announced via social media that Israel had already consented to an initial withdrawal line within Gaza, forming the first phase of the agreement.
He further pledged that “when Hamas confirms, the Ceasefire will be IMMEDIATELY effective, the Hostages and Prisoner Exchange will begin, and we will create the conditions for the next phase of withdrawal.”
Nevertheless, Hamas is expected to push for further negotiations on these designated lines.
While earlier discussions saw Hamas agree to Israeli forces withdrawing into a buffer zone along Gaza’s border, the current Trump plan proposes Israeli troops remaining deeper within Gaza. This is a point Hamas has indicated it may reject.
During a weekend address to the Israeli public, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu framed the Trump plan as a strategic success. He attributed the potential for a peace deal to his sustained military pressure on Hamas – a campaign that has drawn global condemnation – and parallel diplomatic initiatives.
Netanyahu faces immense political pressure. His far-right coalition allies have historically opposed such agreements, threatening to collapse his government if he accepts the terms. Simultaneously, he is urged by a significant portion of the Israeli populace demanding a hostage deal and an end to the war, alongside strong appeals from the international community, including former President Trump himself.
Reinforcing the urgency, Trump shared images on Saturday depicting large Israeli rallies in Tel Aviv advocating for a hostage agreement. His silent post allowed the powerful visuals to convey the message.
It seems defying Trump’s push for a deal is not an option, even for Prime Minister Netanyahu. By Saturday, Israeli military actions were reportedly scaled back to defensive operations and responses to direct threats, according to Israeli officials.
Hamas is also facing considerable pressure to conclude the war.
For many Palestinians in Gaza, this Trump proposal represents a crucial lifeline after almost two years of severe hardship and displacement. With large parts of Gaza devastated and tens of thousands, including countless children, killed, Trump has explicitly stated that Israel will be authorized to completely dismantle Hamas if no agreement is reached.
Via social media, Trump called for an immediate halt to Israeli bombing in Gaza to facilitate the peace agreement with Hamas. Consequently, Israeli officials confirmed that their military forces were instructed to prioritize defensive actions, significantly reducing offensive operations in the Gaza Strip.
Despite these directives, ground fighting persisted. The Israeli military reported conducting several Sunday attacks against militants deemed to be threatening their troops. In Gaza, emergency personnel lamented their inability to access some casualties due to the active combat zones.
Throughout the conflict, indirect talks between Israel and Hamas have frequently occurred, often collapsing without resolution. Secretary Rubio acknowledged on Sunday that the war is far from over and much work lies ahead, yet he expressed optimism that this current round of negotiations holds a unique potential for a different outcome.
“The hope lies in the existence of a clear framework that could finally bring an end to this,” he concluded.