Israel, Hamas Hold High-Stakes Peace Talks as Trump Envoys Join
Hamas and Israel negotiate ceasefire with Trump’s team in Egypt.
On the third day of high-stakes peace talks in the Egyptian resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh, Israel and Hamas are locked in intense negotiations to end the devastating two-year war in Gaza. With the arrival of senior U.S. and Israeli officials, including President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner, the discussions are gaining momentum. Mediated by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States, the talks are grappling with the most contentious elements of Trump’s ambitious 20-point peace plan, which aims to secure a lasting ceasefire, free hostages, and rebuild the war-torn territory.
Hamas, led by negotiator Khalil al-Hayya, is pushing for ironclad guarantees from Trump and mediators that Israel will not resume its military campaign in Gaza once the 48 remaining hostages, taken during the October 7, 2023, attack, are released. In his first public appearance since surviving an Israeli airstrike in Qatar last month that killed his son and aide, al-Hayya told Egypt’s Qahera TV, “We need solid assurances that the war will not return.” Hamas has submitted a list of Palestinian prisoners it seeks in exchange for the hostages, of whom roughly 20 are believed to be alive, adding urgency to the negotiations.
Israel, represented by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s top aide Ron Dermer, has described the talks as “technical discussions” to implement a framework both sides have broadly endorsed. Netanyahu’s office expressed “cautious optimism” on Tuesday, signaling willingness for an immediate ceasefire and partial troop withdrawal if Hamas complies with hostage releases. However, deep-seated mistrust persists, with Hamas resisting disarmament and international governance of Gaza, viewing them as threats to Palestinian self-determination, while Israel insists on verifiable disarmament to prevent future attacks.
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The mediation effort has been bolstered by the arrival of Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, joining Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, who described the talks as “very encouraging.” The involvement of Witkoff and Kushner, key architects of Trump’s plan, underscores Washington’s commitment to brokering a deal. Social media reflects a mix of hope and skepticism, with some X users in Gaza praying for “an end to the blockade,” while others dismiss the talks as “repetitive theatrics.” The complexity of the negotiations is further highlighted by reports of Turkey’s involvement, with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reportedly lobbying Hamas to accept the plan’s terms.
Trump’s proposal calls for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and a phased Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, contingent on Hamas disarming and ceding governance to an international body led by Trump and former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair. The plan also envisions a massive reconstruction effort to rebuild Gaza, where over 80% of buildings are damaged or destroyed. Hamas has agreed to step back from governing but demands broader Palestinian involvement to avoid marginalization, while Israel prioritizes security guarantees. A previous ceasefire in January, brokered by Trump and Witkoff, freed some hostages but collapsed in March when Israel resumed its offensive, citing delays in further releases.
The war’s toll is staggering. Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and saw 251 abducted. Israel’s retaliation has killed over 67,000 Palestinians and injured nearly 170,000, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, with half the casualties being women and children. The UN deems these figures reliable, though they don’t distinguish between combatants and civilians. A UN-commissioned report has accused Israel of genocide, a claim it vehemently denies. In Gaza, displaced residents face dire conditions, with thousands fleeing recent offensives to set up makeshift tents along the central coast, struggling to access food and clean water.
Voices from Gaza underscore the humanitarian crisis. Um Sulaiman Abu Afash, a displaced mother from Gaza City, said, “No food, no clean water—our children sleep in the streets.” Sara Rihan, from Jabaliya, added, “I pray we return to our homes, even if they’re rubble. Our land is our hope.” As mediators work to bridge divides, the talks represent a fragile chance to end the bloodshed. With winter approaching and aid scarce, failure could deepen Gaza’s despair, while success could pave the way for peace and reconstruction.
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