Israel and Hamas Begin Ceasefire Talks in Egypt/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Israel and Hamas have agreed to indirect negotiations in Egypt to discuss a potential ceasefire in Gaza and the release of remaining hostages. The U.S.-brokered plan, backed by President Trump, faces major hurdles including Hamas disarmament and Gaza’s future leadership. Despite ongoing airstrikes, talks are expected to move quickly.
Gaza Peace Talks Quick Looks
- Indirect talks between Israel and Hamas begin in Egypt on Trump’s ceasefire plan.
- The proposed deal includes hostage release, Hamas disarmament, and troop withdrawals.
- Trump’s envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, will participate in negotiations.
- Talks held in Sharm el-Sheikh; Hamas arrived Sunday, Israel on Monday.
- Netanyahu wants talks to last just a few days; Hamas asks for more time.
- Gaza’s Health Ministry says 19 Palestinians were killed in the last 24 hours.
- The Gaza war has now killed over 67,000 and wounded nearly 170,000.
- Families of Israeli hostages have nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize.
- Egypt’s President El-Sisi praised Trump’s efforts to restore regional stability.
- Gaza residents endure ongoing fear, displacement, and humanitarian crisis.
Deep Look
Ceasefire Talks Begin in Egypt as Israel, Hamas Address Gaza War and Hostage Release
CAIRO — Israel and Hamas have agreed to begin indirect negotiations Monday in Egypt’s Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, marking the most significant diplomatic push in months to bring an end to the devastating war in Gaza that is now approaching its second anniversary.
The talks are centered around a U.S.-crafted ceasefire plan spearheaded by President Donald Trump. While both sides have accepted portions of the proposal, major obstacles remain — particularly Hamas’ disarmament, Israeli troop withdrawal, and determining Gaza’s future governance.
President Trump, whose influence has been central to the deal’s development, is betting that a resolution to the Gaza conflict could serve as a foundation for a broader Middle East peace process. Trump’s envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, are expected to attend the negotiations, as reported by Egypt’s state-run al-Ahram news outlet.
Despite the diplomatic movement, Israeli airstrikes on Gaza have continued, killing 19 people in the past 24 hours according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The strikes came after Trump publicly ordered Israel to halt the bombardment — a directive the Israeli military says it is “largely” following, insisting that current operations are defensive in nature.
Structure of the Peace Plan
The U.S. proposal includes a three-day deadline for Hamas to release the remaining 48 hostages, approximately 20 of whom are believed to still be alive, in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. It also calls for a partial withdrawal of Israeli forces and the disarmament of Hamas, a demand Israel views as non-negotiable.
The Israeli delegation, led by senior advisor Ron Dermer, is expected to limit talks to “a few days maximum,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed. Hamas, led by negotiator Khalil al-Hayyah, signaled it may require more time, citing the difficulty of retrieving remains of hostages from areas destroyed during the conflict.
El-Sisi and Regional Support
Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi, a key regional broker, praised the Trump administration’s diplomatic initiative.
“A ceasefire, the return of hostages and detainees, and the reconstruction of Gaza represent the path to lasting peace,” El-Sisi said in a televised speech marking the October 6, 1973, war anniversary. He emphasized the need to preserve the U.S.-led peace framework established in the 1970s, calling it a pillar of regional stability.
Ongoing Violence in Gaza
While talks are underway, the war in Gaza grinds on. The Israeli military reported that over the weekend it neutralized two armed groups attempting to launch attacks, including mortar and anti-tank missile operations. Israel claims its actions are limited and targeted, aimed at safeguarding troops still operating in Gaza.
Gaza’s Health Ministry, which is part of the Hamas-run administration but widely cited by the U.N. as reliable, said 67,160 people have died since the conflict erupted on October 7, 2023, with nearly 170,000 wounded. The ministry stated that more than half of the dead are women and children. The latest fatalities include two people reportedly seeking aid.
The conflict began when Hamas-led militants abducted 251 people and killed roughly 1,200 in the initial October attack — mostly civilians. Many hostages have since been released during past ceasefire agreements.
Trump Nominated for Nobel Peace Prize
In a symbolic move reflecting hope for resolution, families of Israeli hostages submitted a petition to the Nobel Prize Committee, urging it to award the Nobel Peace Prize to President Trump for his efforts.
“At this very moment, President Trump’s comprehensive plan to release all remaining hostages and finally end this terrible war is on the table,” the letter read. “For the first time in months, we are hopeful that our nightmare will finally be over.”
Gaza’s Families Struggle in Crisis
Meanwhile, everyday life in Gaza remains a humanitarian catastrophe. Families displaced from their homes continue to live in tents, deprived of basic sanitation, healthcare, and food. The toll is particularly harsh on children born during the war, now approaching their second birthdays in tents instead of homes.
Rola Saqer, displaced from Beit Lahia, spoke of her daughter Masa’s deteriorating health: “She has suffered malnutrition. The girl has weighed eight kilos for five months now.” Rola and her husband had waited five years to have a child.
“I am scared for my daughter. She is two, and she has been living in fear, war and displacement,” she said.
In the Nuseirat refugee camp, Amal al-Taweel and her husband Mostafa lamented the conditions their son Ali faces. “I was envisioning a different life for him,” Amal said. “He couldn’t experience what a safe family life feels like.”
For families across Gaza, the ceasefire talks represent the last fragile hope for returning to a life beyond bombs, tents, and trauma.
You must Register or Login to post a comment.