U.S. and Egypt negotiate to end Gaza war with hostages at stake
- Indirect peace talks resumed in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, involving U.S., Egyptian, and Qatari officials.
- Hamas has demanded assurances regarding hostages and a permanent ceasefire, while Israel insists on disarmament.
- The ongoing negotiations are a critical step toward potentially ending the war in Gaza.
The ongoing conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas conducted a surprise assault in southern Israel, resulting in the loss of approximately 1,200 lives, primarily among civilians, as well as the abduction of 251 individuals. Following this, the war escalated, prompting severe humanitarian crises in the affected regions. As a response, indirect talks facilitated by Egypt and Qatar resumed in Sharm el-Sheikh, involving U.S. officials Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner among others, to negotiate a resolution based on a peace plan proposed by former President Donald Trump. The plan outlines provisions for an international governance structure in Gaza, requiring the disarmament of Hamas and a full Israeli withdrawal post-conflict. However, as negotiations progress, Hamas has maintained demands for a lasting ceasefire and the condition that Israel refrain from resuming hostilities after hostages are released, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insists on full hostage recovery and Hamas disarmament as prerequisites for concluding the war. This situation is complicated by the presence of more than two million Palestinians in Gaza facing significant humanitarian challenges, with ongoing discussions emphasizing the need for increased humanitarian aid amidst the conflict.