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Initial phase of Gaza negotiations between Hamas and mediators have concluded in the Arab Republic “amid a positive atmosphere”, according to Egyptian government-affiliated media early on the weekday.

An Egyptian news source, affiliated with state intelligence, reported the discussions will resume on Tuesday, additionally between Hamas and intermediaries in the tourist destination of Sharm El-Sheikh, where an Israeli delegation landed on the previous day.

Israel and the Palestinian faction are expected to participate in mediated discussions on the details of a plan by American leader Donald Trump for a captive-detainee swap and long-term truce.

Trump’s twenty-point plan outlines an instant ceasefire, an swap of all captives held by Hamas for detainees from Palestine held by Israel, a staged pullout of Israeli forces from Gaza, the disarmament of Hamas and the introduction of a transitional government led by an global organization.

Among the faction’s primary conditions since the outset of the war has been a full withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza in exchange for the freeing of the remaining hostages. And while the Palestinian militant group has signaled its readiness to give up governing control, it has repeatedly rejected disarming.

In this initial stage of negotiations, Middle Eastern intermediaries are working with the two parties to prepare foundational terms for the release of the still held forty-eight captives from Israel held in the enclave in exchange for 1,700 Palestinian prisoners held in prisons in Israel, and to determine the timeline of a temporary truce.

This round of negotiations is expected to be challenging and complicated, and could last for several days, as per sources. We will have additional information on the negotiations soon.

These negotiations occur as people in Israel across the country prepare to mark the second commemoration of the 7 October Hamas-initiated attacks on southern Israel, in which about twelve hundred individuals, mostly non-combatants, were killed and 251 taken hostage.

Doubt Persists Over Peace Agreement

While there are positive signs about this effort to bring about an end to the conflict in Israel, there remains doubt over if a deal can be secured and, crucially, maintained.

The Palestinian faction has in part agreed to the US president’s twenty-point proposal, which the Israeli government has accepted, but there are still significant obstacles that need resolving, including the future governance of the Gaza Strip, the degree of withdrawal of Israeli forces and Hamas’ disarmament.

Mediators have to decide which Palestinian prisoners will be freed from Israeli jails. The representatives from Palestine is likely to request political figures, such as the figurehead a well-known detainee, who are highly regarded in the West Bank and Gaza.

Rightwing members of Netanyahu’s coalition have put pressure on to make sure such influential individuals stay behind bars, Israeli media has reported.

Itamar Ben-Gvir, the ultra-conservative public security minister, warned to quit the administration if Hamas still existed after the release of captives, adding another complication to already delicate negotiations.