by Ennio Bassi
As indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas begin in Sharm el Sheikh, Trump’s ambitious ceasefire and hostage release plan raises hopes—but also deep uncertainties
Israel and Hamas have begun a new round of indirect talks in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt, in an effort to bring an end to the devastating war in Gaza, now entering its third year. The negotiations, mediated by the United States, come as both sides have expressed conditional support for President Donald Trump’s 21-point peace plan, which promises an immediate ceasefire, hostage-prisoner exchanges, and a new political structure for post-war Gaza.
The talks opened on the eve of the second anniversary of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, which began shortly after Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack. With over 67,000 Palestinians killed and the enclave reduced to rubble, momentum for a negotiated end to the war is growing—though the path forward remains riddled with complications.
Who’s at the Table?
The U.S. delegation is led by Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, accompanied by Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and former White House adviser.
Israel’s team is headed by Ron Dermer, a senior Netanyahu confidant, with Ophir Falk, the prime minister’s foreign policy adviser, also present. The Hamas delegation is led by Khalil al-Hayyah, a senior official long targeted by Israel.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said the talks are expected to last only “a few days,” while Trump has warned Hamas to act swiftly—“or all bets are off.”
What Does Trump’s Plan Include?
The first phase of Trump’s peace blueprint includes:
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Immediate ceasefire upon agreement.
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Release of all hostages—living and deceased—by Hamas within 72 hours.
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Exchange of prisoners: Israel would release 250 Palestinians serving life sentences and 1,700 detainees arrested since the war began, including all women and children.
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Body-for-body return: Israel would hand over the remains of 15 Palestinian prisoners for every deceased hostage returned.
Following these steps, the plan outlines:
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Gradual Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza.
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Deployment of an international security force to manage border and internal security.
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Establishment of a transitional oversight government, jointly headed by Trump and former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, to lead Gaza’s recovery.
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Interim governance by Palestinian technocrats, excluding Hamas, with full dismantling of Hamas’s military infrastructure.
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Amnesty for peaceful members of Hamas, and safe passage out of Gaza for those who reject the agreement.
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Daily humanitarian aid convoys, matching January’s levels of 600 trucks per day, overseen by the United Nations and international agencies.
What’s Still Unclear?
Despite broad international support for the plan, critical uncertainties remain:
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Disarmament of Hamas: While Israel insists on total disarmament, Hamas has not committed to this publicly. Senior official Mousa Abu Marzouk has suggested weapons could be handed to a future Palestinian administration—but this has not been formalized.
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Foreign military presence: Hamas official Osama Hamdan has said the group will not accept any foreign control over Gaza or the presence of foreign forces, calling it “unacceptable.”
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Location of hostages: Some Hamas officials say time is needed to locate the bodies of deceased hostages, possibly buried under rubble.
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Hamas’s political future: The group is excluded from any future governance under the current plan, a condition it is unlikely to accept without major concessions.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu has made clear that Israel fully accepts Trump’s plan and will not entertain any amendments. The prime minister described the proposal as a “take it or leave it” offer and threatened severe military consequences if Hamas rejects the terms.
What’s Next?
As negotiations continue, both Israeli and Palestinian populations wait—one for the return of hostages, the other for an end to relentless bombings and siege.
If successful, Trump’s deal could mark the most significant diplomatic breakthrough in the region since the war began. If not, it may further entrench the conflict, leaving Gaza in ruins and the region on the edge.
(Associated Medias) – Tutti i diritti sono riservati
L’articolo Inside the US-Brokered Israel–Hamas Talks in Egypt: Can Trump’s Peace Plan End the War in Gaza? proviene da Associated Medias.
