Talks in Sharm el-Sheikh bring cautious hope for a Gaza ceasefire, as Hamas seeks firm guarantees from Israel to end the war and withdraw troops under Donald Trump’s proposed peace plan.
Hamas Pushes for Real Guarantees in Gaza Peace Talks
As the second day of indirect peace talks wrapped up in Egypt’s Sharm el-Sheikh, Hamas officials reiterated a firm demand: guarantees that Israel will end the war on Gaza and withdraw its military forces completely.
The discussions, part of Donald Trump’s 20-point Gaza peace plan, mark a potential turning point after two years of devastating conflict. Speaking from the White House, Trump expressed optimism, saying there was a “real chance” of reaching a Gaza deal.
Senior Qatari and U.S. envoys are joining the next round of negotiations on Wednesday, signaling intensifying efforts by mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkiye to bridge remaining gaps.
Hamas’s Terms: Withdrawal, Captive Release, and Trust Issues
A senior Hamas official told Al Jazeera that the group intends to release Israeli captives in stages, with each stage tied to Israel’s military withdrawal. The group insists that the final hostage release must coincide with the final exit of Israeli forces.
Hamas spokesperson Fawzi Barhoum emphasized the need for “complete withdrawal of the occupation army”, criticizing Trump’s plan for offering no clear timeline for Israel’s exit.
Top negotiator Khalil al-Hayya underscored the group’s mistrust, declaring that Hamas “does not trust the occupation, not even for a second.” He accused Israel of violating previous ceasefires, and demanded “real guarantees” to ensure the war would not resume.
Israel’s Stance: War Objectives Remain Unchanged
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, marking the two-year anniversary of the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack, described the ongoing conflict as a “war for our very existence and future.”
Netanyahu reaffirmed Israel’s goals: return all hostages, eliminate Hamas’s rule, and ensure Gaza no longer threatens Israel. His statement avoided direct reference to the ceasefire talks but made clear that Israel’s military objectives remain intact.
Mediators Push for Flexibility and a Path Forward
Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari said mediators are “staying flexible” and adjusting proposals as talks progress. He confirmed that Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani will join upcoming sessions alongside Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff for the U.S.
“The prime minister’s participation shows the mediators’ determination to reach an agreement that ends the war,” al-Ansari said.
Still, big questions remain — particularly over who will govern Gaza and who will fund reconstruction once the war ends.
Trump’s Post-War Plan: A “Board of Peace” for Gaza
Under Trump’s proposal, Hamas would not govern Gaza after the war. Instead, local Palestinian technocrats would manage daily affairs under a temporary international body called the “Board of Peace.” This group, led by Trump himself and former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, would oversee Gaza’s transition.
In response, Barhoum said Hamas supports immediate reconstruction under a Palestinian national body, but would not seek a role in governing Gaza after the war.
Violence Persists Amid Hopes for Peace
Despite ongoing negotiations, Israeli airstrikes continued across Gaza on Tuesday, targeting Sabra, Tal al-Hawa, and Khan Younis, killing at least 10 Palestinians, according to the Wafa news agency.
The conflict has now claimed over 66,600 lives, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, including 1,701 medical personnel. The U.S.-based conflict tracker ACLED reports that Gaza has endured over 11,000 air and drone strikes since the war began — accounting for nearly 14% of all conflict-related deaths worldwide in the past two years.
As Al Jazeera’s Hind Khoudary reported from central Gaza:
“Everyone’s waiting for a peace deal as the bombs continue to fall.”
Outlook: Fragile Progress, High Stakes
With mediators returning for another round of Gaza peace talks, cautious optimism remains. Both Hamas and Israel appear open to key parts of Trump’s plan, but trust and timing remain the biggest barriers.
For now, Gaza waits — between bombs and bargaining tables — for a deal that might finally bring a lasting ceasefire.