🔗 Share this article

First round of Gaza negotiations between Hamas and mediators have concluded in Egypt “in a positive atmosphere”, according to Egyptian state-linked news outlets in the morning on the weekday.

An Egyptian news source, which is linked to government security, stated the discussions will continue on Tuesday, additionally between Hamas and mediators in the resort town of the Egyptian city, where an Israeli delegation landed on Monday.

The Israeli government and the Palestinian faction are expected to engage in mediated discussions on the details of a proposal by American leader Donald Trump for a hostage-prisoner swap and long-term ceasefire.

Trump’s twenty-point plan specifies an instant ceasefire, an exchange of all captives held by the Palestinian faction for detainees from Palestine held by the Israeli state, a phased Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, the demilitarization of the group and the introduction of a interim administration led by an international body.

One of the faction’s main conditions since the outset of the war has been a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza in exchange for the freeing of the remaining captives. And while the Palestinian militant group has indicated its readiness to relinquish governing control, it has repeatedly ruled out disarming.

During this initial stage of negotiations, Middle Eastern mediators are collaborating with both sides to prepare foundational terms for the liberation of the still held forty-eight captives from Israel held in the enclave in exchange for 1,700 Palestinian prisoners held in prisons in Israel, and to decide the date of a temporary truce.

This round of talks is expected to be challenging and complex, and could last for several days, according to sources. We will have additional information on the discussions soon.

These negotiations occur as people in Israel across the country prepare to mark the two-year commemoration of the 7 October Hamas-led attacks on Israel’s southern region, in which approximately twelve hundred individuals, mostly civilians, were slain and 251 captured.

Uncertainty Persists Over Peace Agreement

While there are positive signs about this effort to bring about an end to Israel’s war, there persists doubt over whether or not a agreement can be reached and, crucially, maintained.

The Palestinian faction has partially accepted Trump’s 20 point plan, which the Israeli government has agreed to, but there are still significant obstacles that need addressing, including the post-war administration of Gaza, the extent of Israel’s military withdrawal and the group’s demilitarization.

Mediators have to decide which Palestinian prisoners will be released from Israeli jails. The Palestinian delegation is likely to request prominent leaders, such as the figurehead a well-known detainee, who are highly regarded in the West Bank and the coastal enclave.

Rightwing members of Netanyahu’s coalition have exerted influence to ensure such popular figures stay behind bars, Israeli media has stated.

A far-right minister, the far-right government official, threatened to leave the administration if Hamas still existed after the release of captives, introducing another complication to already fragile negotiations.