Senior officials from the United States, Qatar, and Turkey are participating in the indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas to reach an agreement leading to the termination of the war in the Gaza Strip. The talks are being held in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, under increasing international pressure for a solution that includes a ceasefire and prisoner swap.

According to Qatari diplomacy, Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdelrahman al-Thani travelled to Egypt this morning to personally participate in the talks. On the US side, the US president’s special envoy, Steve Whitcoff, and his adviser and son-in-law are expected to attend, Jared Kushner, who will meet with Egyptian diplomatic chief Badr Abdelati.

Meanwhile, Turkey is sending a delegation led by intelligence chief Ibraim Kalin, confirming Ankara’s willingness to have a role in developments given its ties to Hamas.

Trump’s plan is on the table

The talks are based on a 20-point plan presented by the US president Donald Trump, which includes a ceasefire, exchange of hostages and prisoners, a gradual withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, and the disarmament of Hamas.

The US president yesterday spoke of a “real possibility” of reaching an agreement that would mark the end of the war, which began after Hamas attacked Gaza on October 7, 2023. However, the mediators acknowledge that many thorns remain, particularly over guarantees and the mechanism for implementing the ceasefire.

The positions of the two sides

Hamas has said it considers Trump’s plan a “basis for agreement”, but has called for guarantees from the US and mediators that “the war will end for good”. The movement’s chief negotiator, Khalil al-Haya, said from Egypt that “there is no trust in Israel” and that “commitment with international guarantees” was required.

A Hamas negotiating team source told AFP that the Israeli side presented the first withdrawal maps of troops, as well as a timetable for the exchange of hostages and prisoners. Meanwhile, state-run Al Qahera News reported that Hamas is demanding that Maruan Barghouti, the best-known Palestinian leader still being held in Israel, be included in the release list.

In contrast, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated yesterday that “the army will remain in Gaza as long as necessary” and that “Hamas must be fully disarmed.” He said he supported Trump’s plan but insisted on the destruction of Hamas’ authority and the release of all hostages as preconditions.

The casualties and international pressure

According to the latest figures, 67,160 people have been killed in the Gaza Strip since the start of Israeli operations, most of them civilians, and the UN has declared a state of famine in several areas of the enclave.

Hamas’ October 7, 2023, assault on southern Israel had caused the deaths of 1.219 people, mostly civilians, and the abduction of 251 hostages, of whom 47 remain captives, according to the Israeli military.

The United Nations has described the situation as a “humanitarian disaster,” and independent investigators are talking about evidence of genocide, which Israel categorically rejects.

Fragile balance

Despite diplomatic mobility, the talks remain at a critical juncture. Qatar says the goal is “a permanent ceasefire” rather than a temporary truce, while the US is trying to secure an agreement that would prevent a resumption of hostilities.

Diplomats believe the next 48 hours will be decisive. If there is agreement on the technical details, a ceasefire framework could be announced in the next 24 hours. If not, the possibility of an escalation remains open.