Indirect talks for a ceasefire in Gaza are under way in the Egyptian tourist resort of Sharm El-Sheikh between Israeli officials and the chief negotiator of the militant Hamas movement, Khalil al-Hayat.
The talks come in the second anniversay of the invasion of southern Israel on 7 October 2023 by Hamas fighters, in which over 1,000 people were killed. Over 250 were taken hostage.
The negotiators on both sides are looking to come into a common agreement over President Doald Trump’s peace plan for Gaza, which has been rocked by fighting between the Israeli military and Hamas since the outbreak of conflict. According to the Hamas run health ministry in Gaza, some 67,000 people had died in the fighting as Israel launch a military campaign in the territory to flush out the militants.
While Gaza remains a war zone, it is also the scene of widespread humanitarian crisis for its residents who had refused to flee the fighting.
The talks in Egypt while working for a definitive end to hostilities would explore the possiblity of direct interactions which could lead to hostage-prisoner exchange between Israel and Hamas, negotiations for which had stalled in recent months as the fighting raged with unyielding fercocity. Israeli are hoping for its citizens still held as hostages following the Hamas attacks of two years ago would be freed. In return Israel could release Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.
20 proposals make up the peace plan which include freeing 48 Israeli hostages in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. It has been reported that 20 Israeli hostages are thought to be alive.
The US-led peace plan also include Hamas agreeing to key demands by Israel over its disarmament which would alter its role in Gaza if the conflict comes to an end. The mlitants said they have agreed with some unspecified parts of the ageement for a ceasefire but remain silent over those demands by Tel Aviv.
Egyot had reiterated its role is to broker a durable ceasefire.
On Monday its diplomats together with Qatari officials have been conducting shuttle diplomacy during which Israeli and Hamas negotiators were met separately. This is set to continue throughout the week.
Writing on social media President Trump said he is hopeful that an agremeent on some of the sticking points would be reached through the course of the week and urged negotiators who include his son-in-law Jared Kushner to push for a deal.
Reaching a deal will mean that aid services will resume in Gaza.
WN/as/APA