Israel-Hamas Peace Negotiations Begin as Gaza War Reaches Two-Year Mark: Inside Trump's Ceasefire Plan

Israeli forces would withdraw from Gaza following Hamas disarmament under Trump's proposed peace agreement.

Israel and Hamas commenced indirect negotiations to end the Gaza conflict on Monday, with both parties indicating support for US President Donald Trump's peace initiative.

The discussions, taking place in Egypt's Sharm el-Sheikh resort, are mediated by the United States and focus on establishing details for the initial phase of the plan. This includes implementing a ceasefire to facilitate the release of all remaining hostages held by Hamas in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners detained in Israel.

Trump's proposal has garnered substantial international support and sparked hopes for concluding a devastating conflict that has disrupted global politics, caused tens of thousands of Palestinian casualties, and reduced the Gaza Strip to ruins. The war began on October 7, 2023, when militants led by Hamas invaded southern Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people, primarily civilians, and abducting 251 individuals.

Significant uncertainties persist regarding the current plan, particularly concerning Hamas disarmament requirements and future governance structures for Gaza. Tuesday marks the second anniversary of the war's commencement.

Here are the key details:

U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff leads the American negotiation team, according to a senior Egyptian official's Saturday statement. Egyptian media reported that Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law, have arrived in Egypt and are expected to participate in the talks.

Hamas announced its delegation would be headed by chief negotiator Khalil al-Hayya, while Israel stated its delegation would be led by top negotiator and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confidant Ron Dermer, though his presence in Egypt remained unconfirmed. Netanyahu's office indicated that foreign policy adviser Ophir Falk would also represent Israel alongside other officials.

The duration of negotiations remains uncertain. Netanyahu stated they would be "confined to a few days maximum," and Trump emphasized that Hamas must act quickly, "or else all bets will be off." Hamas representatives have cautioned that additional time might be necessary to locate hostages' remains buried under debris.

In theory, all hostilities would cease immediately under the agreement. Hamas would release all hostages, living or deceased, within 72 hours. The militant group still holds 48 hostages, with Israeli intelligence believing 20 remain alive.

Israel would free 250 Palestinians serving life sentences and 1,700 individuals detained from Gaza since the war began, including all women and children. For each hostage body returned, Israel would repatriate the remains of 15 Palestinians.

Following Hamas disarmament, Israeli troops would withdraw from Gaza, and an international security force would deploy. The territory would operate under international governance, with Trump and former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair providing oversight.

Palestinian technocrats would form an interim administration to manage daily operations. Hamas would be excluded from Gaza's administration, and all its military infrastructure, including tunnel networks, would be dismantled. Members willing to live peacefully would receive amnesty, while those wishing to leave Gaza would be permitted to do so.

Palestinians would not face expulsion from Gaza. Substantial humanitarian assistance would be permitted and administered by "neutral international bodies," including the United Nations and Red Crescent.

A Friday statement from Hamas indicated willingness to release hostages and transfer power to other Palestinians, but noted that certain aspects of the plan require further Palestinian consultations. The statement notably omitted any reference to disarmament, a crucial Israeli demand.

Hamas reiterated its longstanding openness to transferring authority to an independent Palestinian political entity.

Netanyahu stated Friday that Israel was prepared to implement the "first stage" of Trump's plan, apparently referring to hostage release. However, his office emphasized that Israel remained committed to ending the conflict based on previously established principles, with Netanyahu consistently demanding Hamas surrender and disarmament.

Israel's military announced Saturday that the country's leadership had instructed preparations for the initial phase of the U.S. plan.

Outstanding questions include the timing of key implementation steps. One Hamas official indicated days or weeks might be needed to locate certain hostages' remains. Senior Hamas representatives have suggested significant disagreements requiring additional negotiations persist. A central demand concerns Hamas disarmament, which received no mention in the group's official response.

Internal Hamas consensus on the plan remains uncertain.

A senior Hamas official, Mousa Abu Marzouk, expressed willingness to surrender weapons to a future Palestinian Gaza administration, though this position was absent from the group's official statement responding to Trump's proposal. Another official, Osama Hamdan, told Al Araby television that Hamas would reject foreign administration of Gaza and consider foreign forces' entry "unacceptable."

Aspects of the plan remain ambiguous. Hamas demands complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, but the plan maintains Israel would preserve a "security perimeter presence," potentially indicating retention of a buffer zone within the territory.

Gaza's long-term future remains unresolved. The plan suggests that if the Palestinian Authority administering the West Bank implements sufficient reforms and Gaza's redevelopment progresses, "the conditions may finally be in place for a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood."