CAIRO (AP) – Israel and Hamas have engaged in indirect negotiations in Egypt, sparking renewed hopes for a ceasefire in Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicated that a hostage release could be imminent, coinciding with the two-year anniversary of the Hamas attack that ignited the ongoing conflict.
Former President Donald Trump expressed support for Hamas’s acceptance of certain elements of the U.S. peace plan, which includes the release of 48 remaining hostages, approximately 20 of whom are believed to be alive. This plan also stipulates that Hamas would relinquish control over Gaza and disarm. A top Israeli negotiating team, headed by Ron Dermer, is set to meet with a Hamas delegation in Sharm el-Sheikh, alongside U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff.
The discussions are anticipated to revolve around the possibility of exchanging hostages for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio commented that this may be the closest the U.S. has come to securing the release of all hostages. He outlined two phases in the negotiation process: the release of hostages and Israel's military retraction to its previous positions within Gaza.
Rubio advised that hostages should be released as soon as possible and emphasized that ongoing bombardments must cease to facilitate their safe release. Trump's concerns extend to the future of Gaza, warning of "complete obliteration" if Hamas maintains power. He remarked that Netanyahu remains amenable to ending the bombings and reaching a peaceful resolution in Gaza.
Support for a ceasefire has been gaining traction, with Israeli government spokesperson Shosh Badrosian noting that Netanyahu is in regular contact with Trump, emphasizing that the upcoming talks in Egypt should conclude within a few days. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar expressed hope that progress toward a hostage deal could be achieved, linking it to the ceasefire agreement reached in January.
Families of the hostages have voiced their anxieties, gathering outside Netanyahu's residence in Jerusalem and urging Trump to maintain pressure in the negotiations. The circumstances surrounding the hostages' potential release are made more concerning due to the drastic impacts of Israel's military offensive in Gaza City.
As the humanitarian crisis escalates, a wave of protests in support of Palestinians has swept through various European cities, with foreign ministers from eight Muslim-majority countries releasing a statement endorsing efforts toward a ceasefire. They highlighted the necessity of restoring the Palestinian Authority's governance in Gaza, urging unity between Gaza and the West Bank and advocating for a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
Discussions on governance structures for Gaza are essential for ensuring a permanent resolution to the conflict, according to Rubio. He indicated that these discussions could occur simultaneously with the initiation of the ceasefire process.
Recent reports indicated at least 12 fatalities in Gaza during ongoing strikes on Sunday, with continued assertions from Israeli officials about targeting Hamas militants. However, many residents live in fear of simultaneous threats from military strikes and humanitarian disasters, describing conditions in Gaza as dire, with families grappling with the basic necessity for safety and sustenance.
According to Gaza's Health Ministry, the death toll in the conflict reached over 67,000, a staggering number indicative of the tragic humanitarian toll this war continues to take on the population. With battles persisting and humanitarian conditions deteriorating, the calls for peace and the resolution to the conflict remain more critical than ever.
