In the Egyptian resort town of Sharm El-Sheikh, quiet but urgent talks are underway. Diplomats are trying to forge a path to peace in the long-running Gaza conflict. US President Donald Trump has voiced strong confidence that a lasting agreement is “very possible.” However, a major sticking point remains: Hamas has not fully agreed to disarm or step aside from governing Gaza.
Indirect negotiations aim to finalize a US-backed peace plan for the Gaza Strip. Egyptian and Qatari officials are mediating these sensitive discussions. They are meeting separately with delegations from both Israel and Hamas. The main goal right now is to set the stage for a prisoner swap. This means releasing all Israeli hostages in exchange for an unspecified number of Palestinian prisoners.
On Monday, as these meetings progressed, President Trump spoke to reporters at the White House. He declared, “We have a really good chance to make a deal, and it’s going to be a lasting deal.” He urged all parties to “move quickly.” Trump also mentioned that he had been told the first part of the plan, which includes freeing the hostages, “should be completed this week.”
This latest push for peace involves a detailed 20-point plan. President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed on it earlier. The plan calls for an immediate halt to fighting. It suggests releasing 48 hostages, though only about 20 are thought to be alive. In return, hundreds of prisoners held in Gaza would be set free.
A key part of the plan demands that Hamas have no future role in governing Gaza. It also opens the door for a future Palestinian state. The plan promises immediate and full aid to Gaza once both sides accept the terms.
Hamas has agreed to parts of the proposal. They stated they “agree to release all Israeli prisoners, both living and dead,” under Trump’s exchange formula. This would happen if the right conditions for the swap are met.
However, Hamas did not specifically address or accept the crucial demands. These include disarming completely and giving up its governing power in Gaza. Instead, Hamas suggested that an “independent Palestinian organization,” chosen by national consensus, should manage Gaza. They added that Hamas would still be part of this “national framework.”
This diplomatic effort happens exactly two years after the October 7, 2023, attacks. Those attacks by Hamas on southern Israel killed about 1,200 people. Israel’s military response in Gaza has since led to over 67,160 deaths, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
High-ranking international figures support Trump’s peace plan. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called the plan “an opportunity that must be seized to end this tragic conflict.” UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer also backed the initiative.
An Israeli security official shared that initial discussions are laser-focused on freeing the hostages. Hamas has only a few days to get this first part done. These discussions are perhaps the most important since the fighting began. Their outcome could decide if a lasting peace is finally within reach, or if the region faces more heartache.
Source: BBC