Delegations from Hamas and Israel began indirect talks in Egypt on Monday, aiming to end the nearly two-year war in Gaza. The discussions, mediated by Egypt and Qatar, are taking place under a new peace proposal put forward by U.S. President Donald Trump.
According to Egyptian media, the first round of talks concluded in a “positive atmosphere” and are set to resume on Tuesday. Negotiators are communicating through intermediaries, with discussions expected to focus on a potential hostage and prisoner exchange.
President Trump expressed optimism from the White House, stating, “I think Hamas has been agreeing to things that are very important… I think we’re going to have a deal.”
The negotiations come just before the second anniversary of the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas that sparked the conflict. A Palestinian source close to the talks warned that the process is expected to be “difficult and complex.”
Key points of the proposed peace plan include the disarmament of Hamas, a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and the release of hostages held in Gaza in exchange for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. The plan also proposes a technocratic administration for Gaza overseen by a transitional authority led by President Trump.
Even as talks began, Israeli airstrikes continued in Gaza, resulting in at least seven Palestinian deaths according to local civil defense officials.
The conflict, which began in October 2023, has resulted in significant casualties. Israeli figures report 1,219 deaths, mostly civilians, from the initial Hamas attack. The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza reports at least 67,160 Palestinians killed in Israel’s retaliatory offensive, a figure the United Nations considers reliable.
